This is because the Parliament and state assemblies will be suspended until the end of the emergency period.

Parliament, Suhakam said, was the central institution of democracy and was a body entrusted to ensure that the government is fully accountable to the people.

“Suhakam is concerned about the lack of check and balance on the concentration of executive powers of the government during the period of emergency,” it said in a statement.

The commission went on to urge Putrajaya to uphold its duty and responsibility to respect the rule of law.

The government, it said, must also continue to protect the fundamental liberties of the citizens as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

“Suhakam emphasises that the state of emergency should be guided by human rights principles and should not be used for any purpose other than to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

On Tuesday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, assented to the declaration of a state of emergency.

The Palace said the King consented to the emergency to last until Aug 1, or an earlier date if Covid-19 cases are reduced by then, following a meeting with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin later said there would be no parliamentary or state assembly meetings until a later date set by the King.

However Suhakam said the proclamation of emergency to contain the outbreak was “unjustifiable” as the government has just imposed a movement control order in five states from Jan 13 till 26, which it argued was sufficient to manage the pandemic.

It also called upon the government to provide “timely and effective measures to support the enjoyment of core economic and social rights of the people”, particularly the vulnerable communities affected by the emergency and movement restrictions.

“These measures include the provision of support for livelihood, food, education, social protection and health.”