Malaysia in a state of emergency amid political rife, COVID-19?

The Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is urging the King of Malaysia to allow the imposition of a state of emergency in the country.

Government sources are saying the decision is taken to control the spreading of the COVID-19 (third wave).

But opponents are saying it is to save the PM from humiliation in the Parliament.

Muhyiddin is facing double jeopardy. There is a resurgent pandemic that has put some states back on controlled lockdown.

On the other hand, he is also facing a political onslaught from his government partners who are challenging his leadership.

Some of the members of a ruling party are also attacking Muhyiddin for not giving them a fairer share in power.

The Umno, the biggest Malay political organisation is making demands that Muhyiddin cannot grant.

On top of that, Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader has also asked the King to appoint him as PM. He commands a majority in Parliament with Umno MPs backing and his grouping Pakatan Harapan.

The PH has today opposed opposed declaring a state of emergency over the country.

The opposition accuse Muhyiddin of employing an emergency to suspend the Federal Constitution and to avoid a snap election.

They also accuse him of choosing emergency to prevent losing a vote of no-confidence in Parliament.

The political crisis is deepened in Malaysia with the Umno threatening to quit the fragile government.

No one knows the terms of the emergency but some sources say it will not be a ‘war time’ emergency.

They are saying it will be more of an economic, health emergency (on paper) to help the government fight the COVID-19 which is fast spreading in Peninsular Malaysia and in Sabah.