The independent committee is to consist of government and opposition MPs as well as relevant experts.

Takiyuddin said the government is still waiting for Pakatan Harapan to submit the names of three candidates. “For the government candidates, their names have already been submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said in an television interview.

On Thursday, PH had confirmed receiving an invitation letter to join the committee.

PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the letter was received by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday.

Takiyuddin said that the King had consented to the state of emergency on the advice of the prime minister, after having consulted with relevant authorities such as health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador, among others, before making the decision.