Anwar: I pleaded with King not to extend Emergency beyond Aug 1 as it will bring adverse economic effects - The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: After having an audience with the King for almost an hour, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he had pleaded to His Majesty not to extend the Emergency Proclamation beyond Aug 1.

Anwar said he highlighted that any extension beyond Aug 1 could only bring adverse effects to the country, especially the economy that has already been battered by the worsening Covid-19 pandemic.

“We gave our views that the extension of the Emergency will affect the economy, especially ordinary citizens.

“There are other steps that can be taken. There isn’t a need for an Emergency. So we pleaded with Tuanku not to extend the Emergency, ” he told reporters when met outside Gate 2 at Istana Negara on Wednesday (June 9).

Anwar arrived at the Palace at 10.35am for an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdulllah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Elaborating on his audience, Anwar said he was touched as the King was up-to-date and well-versed with current developments.

“I hope everyone, not just PKR and the Opposition, but also the government, would take heed of the Agong’s decree, ” he said.

At the same time, when asked if his audience had touched on the possibility of a change of government, Anwar said it was not brought up.

“That is an issue that does arise at this point, ” he said briefly.

Anwar also said that during his hour-long audience, he had submitted reports and research papers to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

On the reconvening of Parliament, Anwar noted that His Majesty had decreed earlier that Parliament can be held, provided that the government agrees.

“I explained this because there are different perceptions of this issue, as if Parliament should not be reconvened, ” he added.

Anwar also said he had touched on issues pertaining to foreign investment, as well as the confidence of investors and Malaysians as a whole.

He also thanked the King for granting him an audience to air his views on current issues.

The first to have an audience with the King on Wednesday was Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who arrived at 7.55am for his routine weekly audience before his scheduled Cabinet meeting.

It is understood that the Agong will meet heads of major political parties over the next few days to deliberate the current political landscape amidst the Emergency Proclamation that is set to end on Aug 1.