2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

Asia Pacific> Asia News> Content
Saturday, October 24, 2020, 15:02
Malaysia's king to consult with rulers amid talk of emergency
By Reuters
Saturday, October 24, 2020, 15:02 By Reuters

This handout photo taken and released by Malaysia's Department of Information on Jan 31, 2019 shows the sixth Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah (center), waving before taking the oath as the 16th King of Malaysia at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. (PHOTO / AFP)

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah will consult with other rulers to discuss proposals by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, the palace said on Saturday, after sources told Reuters the premier had asked the king to declare a state of emergency.

Muhyiddin met with the king on Friday to present the emergency proposal that includes a suspension of parliament, sources said - a move that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim denounced as an attempt by the premier to cling to power amid a power struggle.

The proposal comes as Malaysia sees a resurgence in coronavirus cases and as Muhyiddin faces a leadership challenge from Anwar, who last month said he had majority support in parliament to oust the premier

The proposal comes as Malaysia sees a resurgence in coronavirus cases and as Muhyiddin faces a leadership challenge from Anwar, who last month said he had majority support in parliament to oust the premier.

READ MORE: Key party in Malaysia's ruling alliance pledges support for govt

The palace did not identify the recommendations made by Muhyiddin, and said the king will soon hold the consultation with other Malay rulers.

“Al-Sultan Abdullah greatly understands the need for the country’s administration to continue to tackle the threat of COVID-19,” the palace said in a statement.

The Council of Rulers, which groups the heads of Malaysia’s nine royal houses, has the power to withhold consent from any law and deliberate on questions of national policy.

ALSO READ: Malaysia’s UMNO party pledges support for government

A source familiar with the matter said the rulers will meet on Sunday.

Muhyiddin’s office has not commented on the emergency proposal.

The government is scheduled to propose its 2021 budget on Nov 6, and there have been questions over whether it can muster a majority in parliament for that.

Defeat on the budget would count as a vote of no-confidence in Muhyiddin and could trigger an election. Emergency rule might mean the budget would not be put to a vote at that time.


Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !