Today on January 12 2021, just twelve years into the new year, Malaysia has just declared a state of emergency amid the pandemic. Since everyone is going on a lockdown soon, we might as well revisit some of our histories on the state of emergencies Malaysia had every declared.
Workers on a rubber plantation in Malaya travel to work under Special Constables' protection to guard them throughout the working day against attack by communist forces, 1950. Image source via wikipedia.org
Date: 16 June 1948 - 12 July 1960 (12 years long)
Declared: British in Malaya
Reason: A guerilla war broke out in Malaya. Pro-independence fighter of the Malayan National Liberation Army and the military wing of Malayan Communist Party, under Chin Peng, fought against the armed forces of the British military and the Commonwealth. Many were brutally killed during this period.
A British soldier is winched up by a Westland Wessex helicopter during an operation in Borneo. Image source via wikipedia.org
#2 Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (Borneo Confrontation)
Date: 20 January 1963 - 11 August 1966 (3 years, six months)
Declared: First Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj
Reason: Violent conflict from Indonesia's opposition to the creation of Malaysia. The creation of Malaysia was the consolidation of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah) and British Borneo (Sarawak). The confrontation occurred in the border area between Indonesia and East Malaysia.
Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan Image source via indieborneo.wordpress.com
#3: Sarawak Constitutional Crisis
Date: 1965 - 1966 (1 year)
Declared: The Malaysia Federal Government
Reason: The government announced a Proclamation of Emergency in Sarawak on Sept 14, 1966, following a political crisis involving the Federal government and the first Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan. Through the Emergency (Federal Constitution and the Constitution of Sarawak) Act, an amendment was made to Article 150 of the Sarawak constitution. Such amendment authorised the Governor of Sarawak to convene a Council Negeri meeting without going through the Chief Minister.
Protesters carry a portrait of slain worker Lim Soon Seng during a 1969 march in Kuala Lumpur. Behind the portrait is Lim’s coffin. He was killed in a clash with police on May 4 that year, fuelling racial tensions. Days later riots erupted. Image source via scmp.com
Date: 13 May 1969 - 1971 (2 years six months)
Declared: Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Reason: The riot occurred in the aftermath of the 1969 Malaysian general election when opposition parties made gains at the ruling coalition's expense. The official report of death was 196 while a Western diplomat suggested that it was close to 600. This riot led to the Parliament's suspension and the National Operation Council (NOC) or known as Majlis Gerakan Negara, was established to govern the country between 1969 and 1971 temporarily.
Date: 8 November 1977 - March 1978 (Less than one year)
Declared: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Yahya Petra, the Sultan of Kelantan
Reason: The Chief Minister of Kelantan 1977 was Mohamed Nasir of PAS. He was experiencing dissatisfaction within PAS and was accused of defying the party's instructions. A no-confidence motion was tabled in the state assembly where 20 PAS, 13 Barisan Nasional from UMNO and 1 MAC assemblyman supported the motion. Mohamed Nasir refused to resign and requested the head of state to dissolve the state assemble. When it was rejected, his supporters demonstrated on the streets resulting in violence and looting.
#6: Haze (1997, 2005, 2013)
Date: Apart from emergencies caused by political issues and inter-racial conflicts, haze emergency was also declared in 1997 (Sarawak), 2005 (Klang) and 2013 (Muar and Ledang).
Reason: The emergency was declared after air pollution reached dangerous levels in the areas.
#7: Batu Sapi Parliamentary Constituency Emergency
Date: 18 November 2020
Declared: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah
Reason: The Declaration of Emergency Proclamation for P.185 Batu Sapi, Sabah was implemented as a proactive step to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the effect of cancelling the by-election for the seat.
#8: COVID-19
Date: 12 January 2021 - 1 August 2021 (less than one year)
Declared: Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah
Reason: The King approved the emergency power for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's administration as a "proactive move to control and flatten daily Covid-19 positive cases".
