PM won't make live address on 'emergency' tonight

 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will not make any live announcements tonight, the media was informed

This is after he met the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over the implementation of an "emergency".

However, it is not clear if there will be a statement forthcoming from the prime minister.

Malaysiakini understands that there will also likely be no statement from the palace tonight.

The cabinet had earlier agreed to the implementation of an "emergency" to tackle the worsening Covid-19 pandemic situation.

The decision was reached during a special cabinet meeting chaired by Muhyiddin in Putrajaya this morning.

"Wait for the official announcement," said one minister on condition of anonymity.

Asked if this meant the cabinet had decided to implement the "emergency", he replied in the affirmative.

"Wait for the announcement means the process is on," he told Malaysiakini.

The move comes amid the ongoing political uncertainty in the nation with Muhyiddin facing pressure from internal and external forces.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has in recent weeks been trying to form a new government to oust Muhyiddin.

If a declaration of emergency also involved proroguing Parliament, then Muhyiddin will not have to put Budget 2021 to a vote on Nov 17 or a no-confidence vote.

Muhyiddin had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan, Pahang.

The Star reported that the audience is to communicate the cabinet decision to propose the "dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat". 

"His Majesty is expected to meet his brother rulers soon to get their views too but suffice to say, they will support any decision made by the King," a source told the daily.

Bernama reported that the prime minister arrived at the state palace at 4.40pm, and left at 7.10pm.

Both Senior Minister (security cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah have cancelled their daily press briefings slated for this evening.

No reasons were given for this.

In a related development, an article posted on the PN backbenchers club website described the emergency declaration as a "health emergency" to address rising Covid-19 cases in Kedah, Sabah and Selangor following appeals by the Health Ministry.

The report cited a source as claiming that an emergency would allow the government to tighten measures designed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, which has severely strained health resources in Sabah.

"However, the public will not have to worry. This is not a stay-at-home order. They can still leave their homes to buy necessities on condition that they follow government guidelines," said the source.

Meanwhile, The Malaysian Insight quoted another source as stating: "They just need to repackage the word 'emergency' to avoid public panic. They won't call it 'darurat' but will give it a new name. Something for Covid-19." - Mkini