Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is on his way to meet with the king after cabinet ministers today agreed to declare a state of emergency amid rising COVID-19 cases in the country, multiple media outlets said citing several unnamed sources.
No official announcement has been made by the prime minister but Muhyiddin is reportedly on his way to meet with King Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustaffa Billah Shah, who is currently in Pahang, after chairing a cabinet meeting.
Citing an unnamed government representative, MalaysiaKini quoted the person telling reporters to “wait for an official announcement” later today.
A different unnamed government representative also told reporters that the military may not be deployed and “normal life will continue without politics getting in the way of a health crisis” if the king approves the state of emergency, which could have a different name.
If the King approves Muhyiddin’s request to declare a state of emergency, the king could run the country as well as its administration. No snap polls are allowed to take place during this period, which would benefit Muhyiddin’s National Alliance government currently losing support among members of parliament.
Malaysia recorded a total of 847 new infections yesterday, pushing the total COVID-19 tally to 23,804. The death toll stands at 204.
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