The promulgation of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 has raised grave concerns among lawyers who feel it has granted the government sweeping powers in its bid to stem the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among the issues they cited today are the suspension of elections and Parliament and State Legislative Assembly sittings, the power to acquire private property and the government's seeming immunity from legal action during the emergency.

In a posting on his Twitter account, lawyer New Sin Yew described the Ordinance as "draconian".

“The Ordinance is the most draconian piece of legislation...