Malaysia’s sultans to meet as public anger against Muhyiddin government grows

The country’s sultans are set to convene on Wednesday, with analysts believing they are likely to state a preference for parliament to be reconvened

The coronavirus-related emergency and growing public dissatisfaction with the current administration are also expected to be on the rulers’ meeting agenda

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The Conference of Rulers is set to meet in Malaysia’s Royal Palace, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Norman Gohin Kuala Lumpur

Published: 9:30am, 15 Jun 2021Updated: 8:32pm, 15 Jun 2021

Malaysia’s sultans may have limited constitutional powers, but what they say after a special meeting on Wednesday could determine whether the government looks to extend a state of emergency that dates back to January, analysts say.

Along with the suspension of parliament, the emergency – which expires on August 1 – has granted Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s government vast executive powers that critics say are being used to throttle opponents rather than deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. It was declared amid signs the administration was on the verge of a humiliating no-confidence vote by lawmakers.

Political analysts told This Week in Asia they believed the most likely scenario following Wednesday’s meeting was for the sultans to state their preference for parliament to be reconvened, while emphasising the need for continuity and stability amid the current crisis.

The meeting – convened by the country’s king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah – is being held amid rising public discontent with the Muhyiddin administration over a litany of issues, including confusion over lockdown rules and tepid progress in Covid-19 vaccinations.

It is the second special council called by Sultan Abdullah since the start of the pandemic and will involve the heads of the country’s nine royal households – each of whom are sultans or regents of their respective states.