The Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021

On 12 January 2021, the Prime Minister of Malaysia announced that His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ('YDPA') had exercised his powers under Clause (1) of Article 150 of the Federal Constitution to issue a Proclamation of Emergency ('Proclamation') throughout Malaysia from 11 January 2021 to 1 August 2021. This came a day after the Prime Minister had announced the imposition of stricter movement control measures in the states that were most badly affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ('Covid-19').

Two days later, on 14 January 2021, the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 ('Ordinance') was gazetted.

This Alert will explain the main features of the Ordinance.