SEVEN Emergency Ordinances aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 earlier this year have been annulled.

       The motion to annul the ordinances was passed by a voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat after it was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar earlier in the day.

       Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon announced the annulment.

       Among the ordinances annulled were the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021, the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 and the Emergency (Employees Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Amenities (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.

       Wan Junaidi said he regarded the proclamation of the Emergency Ordinances by the government as a proactive action to address the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “It is also the government’s view that it is the most reasonable and thorough plan to assist Malaysians who were adversely affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.

       He also said if the Emergency hadn’t been proclaimed, the Covid-19 pandemic could have been more unpredictable.

       The spike in Covid-19 cases was believed to have been triggered by the Sabah state election that took place in September last year.

       Other ordinances annulled saw the maximum fine of RM10,000 back down to RM1,000 for individuals flouting Covid-19 regulations and the standard operating procedure (SOP).

       Army personnel who had participated in SOP enforcement operations no longer have the powers of arrest and seizure similar to the police either.

       Controversy arose on July 26 when the then law minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan informed the Dewan Rakyat that Cabinet decided to revoke all six Emergency Ordinances on July 21.

       Takiyuddin said that a debate on the Emergency Ordinances was no longer relevant as there was no need for them to be annulled in Parliament.

       His statement came in the wake of his confirmation that the government did not intend to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to extend the Proclamation of Emergency when it expired on Aug 1 after coming into effect on Jan 12.