In response to a rapidly resurgent coronavirus outbreak in Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s Sultan declared a state of emergency, tentatively scheduled to last until Aug. 1. The country’s parliament was then suspended, giving a breathing space to the weakened prime minister, with severe criticism from the opposition.
A statement issued today, Jan. 12, by Malaysia’s royal palace, Sultan Abdullah Shah, said he believed “the country’s coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic is at a very dangerous stage” and that a state of emergency was “necessary.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who took office 10 months ago, said in a televised address that “the state of emergency is not a military coup and there will be no curfew.” He assured that “the civil administration will continue to operate.”
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who had called for a state of emergency the day before, confirmed Tuesday that parliament would be adjourned and that no elections would be held in the near future.
The Malaysian opposition has heavily criticized the decision, which it sees as an abuse of power under the pretext of an epidemic outbreak.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has recently been weakened by the withdrawal of parties from his ruling coalition and his government is in danger of collapse. But he has also promised to hold general elections once the epidemic is under control.
In a statement, the opposition coalition Pact of Hope condemned Prime Minister Muhyiddin for taking absolute power to do whatever he wants with the exceptions given to him by the state of emergency
The state of emergency in Malaysia will last until Aug. 1, but can be lifted earlier if the situation improves. The state of emergency will allow the government to commandeer private hospitals when the public health system is overwhelmed and enlist the help of the military and police to fight the epidemic.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin on Monday announced new restrictions on more than half of the country for two weeks, explaining that the health system is “on the verge of collapse.
Residents, including those in the capital Kuala Lumpur, are not allowed to leave their homes except to buy essential goods, and most non-essential businesses must be closed. The country has banned travel between states.
Malaysia, which has a population of 31 million, managed to contain the coronavirus pandemic last year thanks to strict controls. But the epidemic has rebounded in recent consecutive weeks, with a record 3,309 new cases year on Tuesday. There are now a cumulative total of 141,000 cases of infection throughout Malaysia, including 559 deaths.
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