KUALA LUMPUR (MALAYSIA) – The Malaysian king declared a state of emergency in the country on Thursday to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus. This move is expected to bolster Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s hold on power and curb any attempt by detractors to force an early vote.
Addressing the nation on television, Muhyiddin said on Tuesday that the parliament will be suspended for a certain period of time and elections will not be conducted during the emergency, which could last until August 1.
“Let me assure you, the civilian government will continue to function. The emergency proclaimed by the king is not a military coup and curfew will not be enforced,” he said in a bid to dispel concerns over the measures.
The emergency declaration is expected to reduce the intensity of the political uncertainty hovering over the prime minister since his unelected alliance came to power with a wafer-thin majority in March after the collapse of the earlier coalition led by veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad.
Some legislators in the coalition have withdrawn support for the PM and have sought early polls. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said last year that he had a majority to form a new government.
The prime minister pledged that polls would be held once an independent committee declares that the pandemic is over.
During an emergency, the government can enact laws sans the approval of the parliament.
A day earlier, Muhyiddin announced a nationwide travel ban and a two-week lockdown in Kuala Lumpur and five states, saying the healthcare system was stretched beyond capacity.
The palace said the prime minister requested King Al-Sultan Abdullah to declare emergency in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah is of the opinion that the spread of COVID-19 is at a critical stage and that there is a need to declare a proclamation of emergency,” mentioned the palace in a statement.