Malaysian premier seeks state of emergency status
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin met the king on Friday to ask him to declare a state of emergency, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim denounced as an attempt to cling to power.
The emergency proposal comes as Malaysia sees a resurgence in coronavirus cases and as Mr Muhyiddin faces a leadership challenge from Mr Anwar, who last month said he has the support in parliament to oust the premier.
King Al-Sultan Abdullah will decide if an emergency should be declared after consulting with other Malay rulers.
Under Malaysia’s constitution, the proclamation of emergency is made by the king if he is satisfied a grave emergency exists whereby the security, the economy or public order is threatened.
“Context-wise, the Covid19 situation and the political crisis would arguably fit within these categories, at least based on the government’s interpretation,” said Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, senior associate with political and policy risk consultancy Vriens and Partners.
A state of emergency would allow parliament to be suspended while the executive would gain powers to make rules and approve the expenditure necessary to ensure public security.
Malaysia last declared a national emergency after civil unrest and bloody race riots broke out in 1969.
Opposition leaders, including Mr Anwar, say Mr Muhyiddin is proposing an emergency to avoid a showdown in parliament over the support he commands.
Questions have persisted over the stability of Mr Muhyiddin’s coalition since he took office in March with a twoseat majority.
Pressure increased last month after Mr Anwar said he had enough support in parliament to form a new government with the help of defectors from the ruling coalition.
Umno, the biggest party in the ruling coalition, has also been unhappy with the premier as it believes it is playing second fiddle to Mr Muhyiddin.
The government is scheduled to propose its 2021 budget on Nov 6, and there have been doubts over whether it can muster a majority in parliament for that.
Defeat on the budget would count as a vote of no-confidence in Mr Muhyiddin and could trigger an election.
Under Mr Muhyiddin’s proposed emergency, parliament will be suspended.