Advertisement
Coronavirus pandemic
This Week in AsiaHealth & Environment

Malaysia declares emergency over Covid-19 surge, giving embattled Muhyiddin some breathing room

  • The emergency will last until August 1 unless infections slow before then, with parliament suspended for the first time in more than 50 years
  • The move gives PM Muhyiddin Yassin the ability to govern by fiat and will preserve his political future amid waning support, observers say

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
People clad in face masks seen in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AP
Tashny Sukumaran
Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on Tuesday approved a national emergency to stem the spread a third wave of coronavirus infections, as health care systems threatened to reach a breaking point.
Advertisement
The declaration came as a shock as Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin did not mention such a plan on Monday when he announced targeted lockdowns across the country to quell a surging third wave of infections.

“This consent ... takes into account the personal safety of the people and the best interests of the country. It is also based on current Covid-19 statistics,” said the palace in a statement released early on Tuesday, adding that the king had met with Muhyiddin the evening before.

The emergency order – which will last until August 1 unless infections slow before then – will preserve Muhyiddin’s political future amid signs that he has lost majority support, observers said.

Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. File photo: Malaysian National Palace via AFP
Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. File photo: Malaysian National Palace via AFP
Advertisement

The declaration of a national emergency means that parliament will be suspended indefinitely, giving the embattled Muhyiddin – who came to power in February via a political coup and has a fragile grasp on power – the ability to govern by fiat.

The declaration will also allow the king to issue orders relating to the use of private hospital assets, temporary possession of land, buildings or movable properties of private hospitals as well as direct the use of private hospital resources to treat Covid-19 patients.

Advertisement