Behind every past emergency declarations, including the current state of emergency, there have been "ulterior motives" to further the aims of the government, said economist Prof Jomo Kwame Sundaram.

Looking back at five past emergencies in Malaysia's history, Jomo said vested interests had been a primary factor behind their declarations, above any reasons stated by the government.

The first emergency declaration in 1948 against communist insurgency, Jomo said, was declared by the British to retain then Malaya as its prime colony.

Similarly, he said the British also had an interest to protect...