[ad_1]
KUALA LUMPUR – In the latest twist in Malaysia’s current political saga, its king shockingly rejected a controversial plan proposed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to impose emergency measures on the country, after discussing the matter with other state monarchs.
Muhyiddin’s suggestion was apparently aimed at addressing the Covid-19 pandemic without political distractions. However, his opponents claimed that he no longer had majority support in Parliament and that he was using the pandemic as an excuse to remain in power.
On Sunday (October 25), the king rejected his proposal and offered him verbal support in the current political uncertainty.
“The government has handled the pandemic well and effectively and the King believes that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin can continue to implement its policies and compliance measures to curb the spread of the pandemic,” said Royal Comptroller Ahmad Fadil. Shamsuddin.
“It is not necessary at this time for His Majesty to declare an emergency in this country or anywhere in Malaysia.”
The proposal, which would have suspended parliament, was criticized for being excessive and for providing the beleaguered Tan Sri Muhyiddin administration with a means to prevent its majority from being tested when the lower house reconvenes next month.
Despite rejecting the emergency plan, the Palace’s statements yesterday appeared to support the Muhyiddin government.
The king, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, called on MPs to stop politicking and not destabilize the existing government. He also emphasized that the 2021 Budget, which will be presented in Parliament on November 6, is crucial to addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and revitalizing the economy.
“… there is no need for parliamentarians to continue irresponsible actions that may threaten the stability of the existing government,” said Datuk Fadil.
The cabinet’s decision to call for emergency measures came amid growing uncertainty about Muhyiddin’s control of Parliament ahead of next year’s budget vote.
Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition governs with a slim majority of 113 MPs in the 222-member lower house, and faces several no-confidence motions from rivals.
He also faces a challenge from the leader of the opposition, Anwar Ibrahim, who said in late September that he has a “formidable majority” to lead a new government.
Meanwhile, Umno, the PN’s largest party, had threatened to leave the alliance, although it later backed down and said it would support the PN.
The Straits Times learned that Muhyiddin was deep in discussions with close advisers and allies at his residence Sunday night, to plan how to react to the setback.
The emergency measures, government sources say, would have prevented the budget vote and the need for the country to hold general elections during a pandemic, should the Muhyddin government fail to approve the budget and demonstrate its majority.
Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa had previously said that an emergency would be a way to legally delay the upcoming elections that have been a cause for concern since last month’s Sabah polls saw an increase in infections.
Parliamentary parliamentary elections in Sabah are due to take place on December 5, while Sarawak is also due to hold state elections in mid-2021.
Malaysia is experiencing a third wave of infections, and the total number of Covid-19 cases doubled in the month of October alone.
On Sunday it registered 823 new cases, all transmitted locally, bringing the national count to 26,565. Eight more deaths were reported, bringing the total to 229. Most of the new cases were from Sabah.
The King on Sunday urged everyone, regardless of political leanings, to put aside their differences and support the government in its efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
A joint statement by the rulers meeting yesterday also highlighted the importance of the King’s role in “balancing various requests to guarantee justice and limit any element of abuse of power.”
[ad_2]
