Declaring that the country belongs to all Malaysians and not to any individual or parties, he urged all Malaysians to stand up and collectively do everything within their means to “rectify” the situation and bring about a progressive democracy.

Mohamad, or Tok Mat as he is often called, said freedom of speech and expression in Malaysia was “diminishing” with the various emergency ordinances in place.

He added that recent events involving the suspension of Parliament and the disabling of the constitution pointed towards a “worrying decline in democracy”.

“Malaysia must come out of this democracy deficit. We should be better at managing the country and adopting more advanced democratic practices,” he said in a statement.

Mohamad said everyone had a collective responsibility to improve the country’s situation, as leaving Malaysia in its current state would be “very unfortunate”.

“Whether you are a Cabinet minister, civil servant, opposition politician, civil society group or just an ordinary person, let us all restore democracy in Malaysia to a better standard.”

A nationwide emergency was declared on Jan 12 and it included the suspension of parliamentary sittings until August this year.

However, the King had said Parliament can convene during the emergency on a date that he deems suitable — on the advice of the prime minister.

Meanwhile, those who create, publish or distribute “fake news” now face a fine of up to RM100,000, a jail term of up to three years or both under a new emergency ordinance.

Those who pay for the creation of such fake news will face harsher punishment, with fines of up to RM500,000 or a jail term of six years, or both.