Malaysian PM faces an uncertain future
A day after Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah rejected a proposal by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to declare circumstances of emergency, political analysts and senior politicians told Arab News that the premier's future looks bleak. "The Council (of Rulers) didn't support the thought of circumstances of emergency," said Charles Santiago, a senior member of the Democratic Action Party. "It really is clear that they don't trust Muhyiddin's decision and he has lost his legitimacy as the prime minister."
He added that the decision by the monarch and the Council of Rulers was "unprecedented." Muhyiddin's proposal, which he said would help battle a new wave of COVID-19 infections, sparked national outrage. Critics accused him of using it as an attempt to cling to power, just weeks after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he previously support from most lawmakers for an effort to topple Muhyiddin's government a move that also failed to earn the king's approval, reports Arab News.
Muhyiddin, the first choice of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party, also faces tough challenges from within the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the single biggest party in Malaysia's ruling coalition. This could leave him vulnerable as he only includes a most two in the 222-seat parliament. "The problem will not lie with the opposition now, it is the government itself," said Santiago. "Muhyiddin's cabinet won with a two-seat majority and their main worry is UMNO, as any pullout from any members may bring about Muhyiddin losing his majority."
Senior UMNO politician Puad Zarkashi said that Muhyiddin has only two choices: resign or dissolve the parliament. If the PM clings to power, he added, the state will see itself "in chaos" amid ongoing instability. "This (government) is too fragile to govern which seems to become a never-ending story, so he (Muhyiddin) should not jeopardize the people," Puad said.The prime minister needs to accept the fact that "his time has ended" and there have been "an excessive amount of politicking," he added.
On Friday, there is uncertainty among Malaysians as rumors of the proposed state of emergency commenced to circulate. On Sunday, the king rejected the proposal, saying that the government's efforts to contain a third wave of COVID-19 were "impeccable." He also known as on politicians to "cease politicking," which he warned could destabilize the country.
Some authorities disagreed with the king's assessment, saying that while "the confidence of the people may not maintain question," the public is more concerned about economic stability and dealing with the pandemic.
The king gets the power to declare circumstances of emergency that could permit the country to be governed through laws that can't be challenged in court. However, professor James Chin of the University of Tasmania said that the ruler's decision to reject the PM's proposal "will not total anything" because, beneath the National Security Council Act 2016, Muhyiddin will not require the king's consent to declare circumstances of emergency and has other options.
"He can draw his powers from the authorities Act and other emergency provisions, in particular when it comes to a health crisis," he added. "He has additional powers with these various acts although to the general public, he appears like he's lost big with the king."
Others warned of the economical disruption that could derive from circumstances of emergency. "If a state of emergency is named under a political consideration, it'll be unfair for the people as it will tank the economy," said professor Firdausi Suffian, a political analyst at MARA University of Technology.He added that the king's decision to decline Muhyiddin's request didn't mean that the general public is losing confidence in the administration. "The king … lauded the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and decided that declaring circumstances of emergency was unnecessary for the present time," he said.
It is time for political leaders to place their distinctions aside, Firdausi said, and interact to approve the budget, which is presented to parliament on Nov. 6 and represents an integral test for Muhyiddin.If he's unable to gain enough support to pass the bill, pressure will mount on him to resign or hold an election. A state of emergency, in that situation, would delay that vote and present him more time to assemble support.
"There must be a working committee, comprising politicians from all parties and experts, to sit back and handle the COVID-19 crisis," Firdausi said. "The very last thing Malaysians need now could be a snap election and a fresh prime minister."Authorities in Malaysia have reported 27,805 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 236 deaths. The last time circumstances of emergency was declared in the country was on, may 13, 1969 during race riots where more than 180 persons were killed.
