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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s cabinet has been locked in a special meeting since Friday (October 23) morning, with government leaders discussing proposals to ensure that the next budget session in Parliament does not result in snap elections amid from the resurgent wave of coronavirus infections.
Sources with knowledge of these options told The Straits Times that an “economic emergency” could be proclaimed to ensure that government spending to curb Covid-19, which has doubled the total number of cases this month, is not compromised by a increasingly unstable political atmosphere.
“It will not be similar to the curfews and military presence that we had after the 1969 race riots.
“Instead, normal life under the Movement Control Order (MCO) will continue without politics getting in the way of dealing with a health crisis,” a source said on condition of anonymity as the matters are official secrets. of the government.
The special Cabinet meeting on Friday will also be attended by the Chief of the Armed Forces and the Attorney General.
ST understands that they were consulted earlier in the week after health officials vehemently presented their case at high-level meetings to ensure that national elections are not held until the outbreak is contained.
Elections in the easternmost state of Sabah last month, which took place even as new clusters of infections emerged there, were a key driver in Malaysia that saw an unprecedented number of new cases this month.
The country has seen more than 800 daily new infections reported multiple times this week, far more than previous highs of just over 200.
Election Commission Chief Abdul Ghani Salleh also said on October 13 that “in light of the outbreak, we urge, if possible, that no elections be held during this period.”
ST has learned that less aggressive options have also been proposed, such as crossing the political divide to achieve a “unity budget”, with the Democratic Action Party (DAP) being its main opposition defender.
However, some government leaders are uncomfortable with leaving their fate in the hands of political rivals, especially as many MPs from the ruling Malaysian Muslim parties have vowed not to cooperate with the China-dominated DAP, which they claim is hatching an agenda to undermine the interests of Malaysia. majority community.
The Federal Constitution allows an emergency to be called under article 150, with the consent of the King, the Supreme Ruler of the federation.
ST understands that several state rulers, nine monarchs taking turns as Agong, have been informed of the possibility of special powers being granted to the government of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
This comes after a month-long political mess when opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed to have a “formidable majority” on 23 September.
But Umno President Zahid Hamidi, who leads the largest component of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, finally backed down on Wednesday from last week’s threat to withdraw support for Tan Sri Muhyiddin.
The situation is still considered fluid enough that the 2021 Budget, which will be presented on November 6, could fail, as PN only has 113 of 222 MPs.
The Muhyiddin administration would fall if it does not approve of public spending and there is no certainty that there will be a replacement as Datuk Seri Anwar cannot reconcile the differences between his ally DAP and Umno.
An emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak would cause the suspension of Parliament and the granting of powers to the executive arm to dictate the rules deemed necessary to guarantee public safety.
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