PETALING JAYA: Federal Territories minister Annuar Musa has justified the imposition of the emergency, saying it allowed the government to enforce new laws more efficiently.
Under normal circumstances, Annuar said new laws could only be implemented four to six months after they were introduced as they had to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, before being approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“But under the emergency, we can bring the legislation straight to the Agong without going through the Dewan Rakyat or Dewan Negara,” he said in a live video address on his Facebook page.
“This means the government can take action faster under the emergency situation.”
He stressed that this process only applied during the emergency period, after which all laws would return to being tabled in Parliament under Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution.
In response to comments that the government’s rules on Covid-19 often changed, Annuar said these supposed “flip-flop” decisions were always made in the interest of the people.
Citing the instance of public parks managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) being allowed to open two days after DBKL ordered their closure, he said the change in rules was based on complaints by the public.
He added that new announcements were only made after several assessments and discussions with the prime minister and the National Security Council.
“We have allowed self-service launderettes, optometrists and public parks to open. Maybe there will be more after we get feedback from the people.
“As a government, we will listen to the people. We cannot have rigid rules, without any chance of being amended,” said Annuar.
Automotive plants have also been allowed to reopen under the movement control order.