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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin faced calls to resign on Monday (October 26) when doubts were raised about the support he receives, after the king rejected his request to declare a state of emergency to combat the COVID-19 epidemic.
Muhyiddin had requested an emergency rule amid a new surge in infections in Malaysia and a global pandemic that has hit the economy. But critics accused him of seeking a pretext to suspend parliament and avoid a test of his slim parliamentary majority.
King Al-Sultan Abdullah’s refusal is seen to further erode Muhyiddin’s grip on power, a month after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he has majority support in parliament, including defectors from the alliance. ruler, to form a new government.
READ: COVID-19: No need to declare state of emergency at this time, says King of Malaysia
The Malaysian king called on politicians to end any policies that could destabilize a government that he said has handled the pandemic well. (Photo: AP)
By rejecting Muhyiddin’s request on Sunday, the king also called on politicians to end any politicking that could destabilize a government that he says has handled the pandemic well.
But leaders of other parties in Muhyiddin’s coalition and the opposition criticized his decision to seek emergency powers, calling on him to resign after the offer failed.
“Fortunately, His Majesty the King was not swayed by the political game that could drag the country into more critical territory,” said Ahmad Puad Zarkashi, a senior leader of the United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO), the country’s largest party. the ruling coalition. – He said in a post on Facebook.
“The welfare of the people is more important. By right, Muhyiddin should resign,” said Ahmad Puad.
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The National Palace will be seen in Kuala Lumpur on October 25, 2020 (Photo: AP / Vincent Thian)
Opposition lawmaker Wong Chen said Muhyiddin’s “malicious” proposal was legitimately rejected by the king and that the prime minister should resign or fire the ministers who proposed the emergency.
Malaysia plunged into political instability in late February following the resignation of the previous prime minister, veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad, after his coalition broke up and former ally Muhyiddin forged a new alliance with UMNO to become prime minister.
Within weeks, Muhyiddin faced the coronavirus crisis, but the new ruling coalition is also plagued by infighting, and UMNO seeks to exert more influence. And some of the corrupt UMNO leaders, notably former Prime Minister Najib Razak, have been trying to revive their political fortunes.
The country’s politicians, however, could be swayed by the king’s call to avoid politicking and put the needs of the nation first, analysts said.
“The king seems to be sending a signal that the current government will stick and that the budget must be approved and there should be no political change, at least for the time being,” said Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, a senior associate with the consultancy of political and policy risk Vriens & Partners.
Muhyiddin will hold a cabinet meeting on Monday. In a statement on Sunday, the prime minister said the cabinet will discuss the king’s rejection of his request.
