Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin chaired a surprise meeting that began at 11:30am today, following his failed bid to declare a state of emergency.
Thirty-two people made up of ministers, party leaders, and heads of states were at the meeting to discuss next steps after King Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decided yesterday not to declare a state of emergency, which would have allowed Muhyiddin’s administration to pass laws and proposals without having to go through Parliament, saying that it was “not necessary.”
The president of Malaysia’s Islamic party Abdul Hadi Awang and Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah were among those photographed by government news agency Bernama arriving at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya this morning. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing Khairy Jamaluddin, who is the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at the venue.
Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang dilihat memasuki bangunan Perdana Putra, Putrajaya pagi ini pic.twitter.com/knWz4wBdgz
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) October 26, 2020
Kenderaan yang membawa Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia Datuk @saifuddinabd dilihat memasuki bangunan Perdana Putra pic.twitter.com/S0P2EynfNl
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) October 26, 2020
The king had also expressed his confidence in Muhyiddin’s government that it was capable of handling the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia without emergency powers. Malaysia reported 2,051 new cases over the weekend.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah has decided that it is not necessary to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country,” a statement by the palace said. “The king would also like to remind politicians to stop politicking, as it could destabilize the country’s administration.”
This is the second special cabinet meeting held since Friday. Multiple media outlets had cited unnamed sources on that day saying that the cabinet ministers had agreed to declare a state of emergency in the country and that Muhyiddin was on his way to meet with the king.
Muhyiddin yesterday acknowledged the king’s rejection, saying: “The Cabinet ministers have acknowledged the king’s decision to reject the declaration for a state of emergency.”
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COVID-19: Malaysian PM expected to meet with king to discuss state of emergency
