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The fall of the reformist government of the world’s oldest prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, in February sparked renewed political unrest in the Southeast Asian country. Mahathir came to power in 2016 in an alliance with the opposition Anwar Ibrahim party. He promised to hand over the responsibility to Anwar after a year of service. But since Mahathir did not resign as promised, the alliance was broken. After the fall of the Mahathir government, Muhaiddin Yasin, the deputy head of Mahathir’s party, became prime minister with the support of lawmakers from various parties without an election. However, Muhaddin did not get Mahathir’s support. Mahathir called him a traitor. As a result, there are doubts about the acceptability of the Muhiddin government.
In this situation, Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the opposition People’s Justice Party, met with the king on October 13 and expressed his support for the legislators needed to form the government. Then last Friday, Muhidin asked the king to declare a state of emergency. Parliament will be suspended if a state of emergency is declared. As a result, there will be no chance to vote in parliament challenging Muhidin. Critics say Muhidin has been manipulating the state of emergency as part of a precautionary measure.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Muhiddin’s proposal to declare a state of emergency comes at a time when doubts have been raised about the government’s ability to pass the 2021 budget due to renewed coronavirus infections and the country’s fragile economic situation due to to the epidemic. If a state of emergency were declared, the prime minister would receive additional powers. The Prime Minister has the opportunity to take important action without the permission or process of Parliament during the state of emergency.
According to local media reports, Muhidin wants to declare a state of emergency to suspend political activities, not economic ones.
