[ad_1]
Al-Sultan Abdullah, a Malaysian monarch, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to curb the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. “Al-Sultan Abdullah is of the opinion that the spread of Covid-19 has reached a critical stage and that it is necessary to declare a state of emergency,” the palace said in a statement. According to the Royal Palace the extraordinary legal order will be in force until August 1, but it may end earlier depending on the epidemiological situation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the government will continue its work, but the parliament will be suspended. He also said the government wants to increase its law enforcement powers in light of the health crisis and wants to involve the private sector in supporting the public health system.
Muhyiddin Yassin stressed that no elections will be held during the health emergency. He added that this could happen if an independent committee to be created later determines the end of the epidemic and considers it safe to vote. All of this, analysts say, could help Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin stay in power.
The prime minister, who came to power in March 2020, has a staggering majority in the legislature, while demanding the resignation of his coalition partners and the calling of early elections.
The emergency order was initiated by Muhyiddin Yassin as a precautionary measure to reduce the number of infected. The ruler rejected a similar request last October. Opposition leaders had already complained at the time that the prime minister wanted to stay in power in this way. In the constitutional monarchy of Malaysia, the role of the king is largely ceremonial in nature, however, he decides whether to declare a state of emergency or a state of emergency.
Muhyiddin announced a nationwide travel ban on Monday and a quarantine for the capital Kuala Lumpur and five member states, saying the country’s health care system is on the brink of collapse. The daily number of infected broke records last week, exceeding three thousand. (MTI)
[ad_2]
