PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has defended the state of emergency that had been enforced since Jan 11, stating that it was necessary for the increasingly critical Covid-19 situation in the country.

"The emergency today is a proactive action to handle the increasingly critical situation.

"Most importantly is prevention, treatment as well as firm and courageous action," he said in a statement.

Hadi noted that in some countries, the Covid-19 pandemic has gone out of control and they are facing a lack of medical equipment and personnel.