RANTAU PANJANG: The Emergency Ordinance 2021 gazetted on Jan 14, among others allows the Federal Government to use buildings, properties and take temporary land custody in any state nationwide during the Emergency period, said Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) said the temporary use of these buildings and properties could be utilised by agencies such as the police, the Immigration and the Prison Department.

"During the Emergency Management Technical Committee's visit along the Kelantan border today, apart from being briefed on the security aspect by the relevant border agencies to prevent Covid-19 infection, we also looked into other needs required by the Immigration and Prison departments.

"Under this Ordinance, the Government can temporarily use properties during the Emergency (period)," said Takiyuddin who is the co-chair for the committee. 

The Kota Baru MP said this to reporters at the Rantau Panjang's Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex after visiting the border areas in Kelantan today.

Accompanying him was Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff; Bukit Aman Internal Security; Public Order Department (KDNKA) deputy director Datuk Mastor Mohd Ariff and Kelantan police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat.

Takiyuddin said all the input received by the committee would be brought for discussion with the Kelantan government tomorrow.

He said the decision to gazette the Emergency Ordinance among others was to ensure the safety and well-being of the people and the country.

Apart from Rantau Panjang, the committee also visited Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat in the morning.

During the visit, Takiyuddin and the others were given several briefings including on border security by the General Operations Force (GOF) Ninth Battalion commanding officer, Superintendent Nor Azizan Yusuf.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the Ordinance came into force on Jan 12, the day the King proclaimed a State of Emergency.

The nationwide state of emergency until Aug 1 is to curb the Covid-19 pandemic that has reached alarming levels in the country.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/01/661765/emergency-ordinance-allows-use-buildings-properties-takiyuddin