COMMENT | On April 22, 2021, it was reported that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted an audience to the Committee for Ending the Emergency Declaration, a group pushing for the end to the state of emergency.

The group had earlier convened (above) at the Istana Negara to request for an audience with the king to convey alleged negative sentiments from the public over the proclamation of emergency.

To recap, on Jan 11, 2021, the Agong had consented to a proclamation of emergency having been satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security, economic life and public order of the federation is threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proclamation was made pursuant to Article 150(1) of the Federal Constitution and takes effect from Jan 11 to Aug 1, 2021.

In his speech following the declaration of the emergency, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that the emergency was necessary as the government “… needs to have certain powers to ensure that this pandemic can be...