Mahathir's grand plan for Kelantan, Selangor and Kedah

1977 Kelantan Emergency

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1977 Kelantan Emergency took place in the state of Kelantan in Malaysia. The state of emergency was

declared by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) on November 8, 1977 upon the request of the federal

government following a political impasse and street violence in Kelantan.^[1] This was the fifth and last declaration

of emergency in Malaya and Malaysia after the 1948-1960 Malayan Emergency, 1962 Indonesia-Malaysia

The Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) of Kelantan in 1977 was Mohamad Nasir of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

At that time and since 1972, PAS was part of the Alliance Party and subsequently Barisan Nasional (BN) (after

1974), which is the federal government-ruling coalition party. In 1977, Mohamad Nasir was experiencing

dissatisfaction within PAS and was accused of defying party instructions. A no-confidence motion was tabled in

the state assembly wherein 20 PAS assemblymen supported the motion while 13 UMNO and 1MCA

assemblymen walked out in protest.^[1] Mohamad Nasir refused to resign. He then requested the Regent of

Kelantan (as head of state) to dissolve the state assembly to make way for an election but it was refused.

Supporters of Mohamad Nasir then demonstrated in the streets resulting in violence and looting.

On November 8, 1977 the Yang di-Pertuan Agong declared a state of emergency in the state of Kelantan.

The Emergency Powers (Kelantan) Act 1977 was passed by Parliament the next day giving the federal

government implied power to govern the state. Although being part of Barisan Nasional coalition, 12 out of

14 of PAS members of Parliament had opposed the passing of the Act. Consequently PAS was expelled

from the BN coalition.^[2]

During the emergency, Mohamad Nasir retained the post of Mentri Besar but with limited powers as the

ultimate executive power was vested in the Director of Government which was appointed by the Prime Minister

under the Emergency Powers (Kelantan) Act 1977.^[2]

In March 1978, an election was held in Kelantan. The election was contested by PAS, UMNO and BERJASA,

a new party formed by Mohamad Nasir. UMNO won the election winning 23 seats, while BERJASA won 11

and PAS with 2 seats paving way for UMNO to form government in Kelantan for the first time.^[1]

After the election, BERJASA joined Barisan Nasional and Mohamad Nasir became a Senator and a minister

in the federal government^[2]while Mohammad Yaacob of UMNO became the new Menteri Besar of Kelantan.

Mohammad Yaacob retained the post until 1990 after PAS regained control of Kelantan.