[ad_1]
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s failed attempt to declare a state of emergency in Malaysia this week could have marked the end of his unstable eight months in power.
Instead, he continues to fight, aided by royal endorsement for his handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
The king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, rejected Muhyiddin’s emergency request, but also rebuked politicians for engaging in a power struggle that could destabilize the government as he works to deliver a budget to help the nation weather the pandemic.
The words of the constitutional monarch seemed to have some effect. On Monday, Umno, the largest party in the ruling coalition, affirmed its support for Muhyiddin, but its position remains precarious.
Breathing restlessly
Umno’s continued support gives Muhyiddin a breather amid a power struggle with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
But the prime minister, who has survived just eight months with a majority of just two seats, faces pressure from some Umno lawmakers who are not content to play a secondary role in allying with Muhyiddin’s party.
Anwar’s claim to have won a majority in parliament also hangs over Muhyiddin, especially after former Prime Minister Najib Razak called on some lawmakers from the ruling coalition to back Anwar.
The King’s refusal to allow Muhyiddin to declare a state of emergency to deal with the virus crisis could have damaged the prime minister’s credibility. Critics suspect that Muhyiddin would have used the opportunity to suspend parliament and avoid a test of his majority.
First budget
Still, it is unclear whether the government can muster enough votes to pass the 2021 Budget, which is scheduled to be presented to parliament on November 6.
It would be the first budget presented by the Muhyiddin government since it took power in March, and defeat could trigger elections.
Given the infighting, there is no guarantee that all legislators in the ruling coalition will vote for the budget, despite Umno’s reaffirmation of support for Muhyiddin.
“The party president says support the government. But there is no guarantee as it depends on the individual parliamentarians, ”said a senior source in Umno.
What could help is the King’s repeated advice to politicians to stop politicizing and focus on the interests of the people.
Any other option?
To shore up support, Muhyiddin could try to convince some opposition lawmakers to vote for the budget. Opposition leaders have not yet ruled out supporting the budget.
Liew Chin Tong, a DAP senator, had suggested that Muhyiddin take the first step by giving opposition parliamentarians and government deputies equal access to resources and avenues for policy input.
Opposition lawmakers have not said what policy changes they would ask for.
Calls for elections to resolve the political dispute have also increased, especially from Umno lawmakers. But many remain concerned about having polls during the pandemic.
