In a tweet, Annuar responded to an FMT story in which constitutional lawyers panned the idea of an Emergency to fight Covid-19 as the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) was sufficient.

Lawyers Andrew Khoo and Lim Wei Jiet had said that Act 342 gave the government wide-ranging powers which have yet to be exhausted.

Lim had also cautioned that an Emergency would “seriously dent” the country’s already ailing economy and affect investor confidence.

But Annuar today seemed to disagree with the lawyers.

“Please advise which law to use when Batu Sapi voters want the government to postpone the by-election. Which law to use when Sarawakians want their state election to be postponed for fear of what happened to Sabah.

“And which law to use when 87% of voters indicate they don’t want a general election for fear of Covid-19 spreading.”

The Batu Sapi by-election, triggered by the death of its incumbent and former federal minister Liew Vui Keong, has been set for Dec 5, while the Sarawak state election is due next year.