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Unofficial Translation Press Release from Istana Negara

Kuala Lumpur, 12 January, 2020 – It is informed that KDYMM His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al- Musta'in Billah is pleased to receive YAB Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin at the National Palace , yesterday (11 January, 2020).

During the 45-minute face-to-face session starting at 5.30pm yesterday, Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin presented the results of the Cabinet Meeting on the proposed implementation of the Proclamation of Emergency Proclamation as a proactive measure to curb and address the positive COVID-19 daily cases that have reached four figures continuously since last December.

After refining the explanation of the YAB Prime Minister and giving a briefing from the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki bin Ali; Attorney General of Malaysia Tan Sri Idrus bin Harun, Director General of Health Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham bin Abdullah; Election Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani bin Salleh, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid bin Bador and Armed Forces Commander Tan Sri Haji Affendi bin Buang, Al-Sultan Abdullah is of the view that the spread of COVID-19 in the country is at an extreme level critical and the necessity of the Proclamation of Emergency Proclamation based on Clause (1) Article 150 of the Federal Constitution.

Please be informed that this approval has also taken into account the consultations with His Majesty the Malay Rulers.

This consent also takes into account the personal safety of the people and the interests of the country. It is also based on the current statistics of COVID-19, in particular of the constraints of logistics facilities according to the states that have been presented during the briefing session.

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According to statistics, fifteen COVID-19 hospitals recorded a COVID-19 (non-ICU) bed usage rate of over 70 percent. In the Klang Valley, the use of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients in Kuala Lumpur Hospital and the University of Malaya Medical Center has reached 100 percent, while in Sungai Buloh Hospital 83 percent. The usage rate of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients in Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Terengganu and Sarawak has exceeded 70 percent.

Therefore, His Majesty has given his consent for the Proclamation of Emergency Proclamation to be implemented as a proactive measure to curb the symptoms of the COVID-19 epidemic.

His Majesty also has given his consent to the period of emergency implementation until August 1, 2021 or until an earlier date if the daily COVID-19 positive case figures can be controlled and lowered effectively.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also agreed with the Government's proposal for the formation of an Independent Committee which will be composed of Government and Opposition MPs as well as health and related experts. This Independent Committee will recommend to His Majesty the King if the implementation of this emergency can be terminated earlier.

It should be emphasized here that His Majesty is very concerned about the safety of the people, especially at this time the people in some states are still facing floods. His Majesty expressed concern over the effects of the flood disaster and the sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in the country. If not curbed and controlled effectively, then it will be detrimental to the health of the people and the well-being of the country.

In this regard, Al-Sultan Abdullah advised the people to remain calm, resilient and strong to face the implementation of this emergency and the Movement Control Order for security and common interests.

His Majesty also called on the people to be disciplined in complying with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and all orders set by the Government and relevant Government agencies during the implementation of the emergency and the Movement Control Order.

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His Majesty expressed confidence that with the precise spirit and cooperation of the people as demonstrated during the implementation of the Movement Control Order last year, we are able to once again curb the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic effectively.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed hope that the COVID-19 vaccine that will be received will help to curb the pandemic curve, thus breaking the transmission of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

Al-Sultan Abdullah took this opportunity to express his deep appreciation to the heroes and heroines of the frontline workers who fought for their lives and worked hard regardless of the fatigue and time in shouldering the responsibility of fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also took this opportunity to invite the people to be with His Majesty to pray that Malaysia will always be protected from all forms of threats and this epidemic can be effectively curbed and ended immediately.

His Majesty also invited all the people to pray for the flood disaster that hit several states at this time will not last long.

Dato’ Indera Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja Istana Negara

DISCLAIMER: The original document is written in Malay language. EUROCHAM Malaysia has translated this from the original Malay version at our best understanding and knowledge. Should there be any inconsistency or difference between the English translation and the original Malay version, kindly note that the original Malay document is the final governing and prevailing version.