⁍ Malaysia’s rulers are set to meet on Sunday to discuss a proposal by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to impose a state of emergency.

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⁍ Opposition leaders have decried as an attempt by the premier to stay in power amid a leadership challenge.

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⁍ Muhyiddin has been in a precarious position since he took office in March with a two-seat majority.

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– Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has asked the country’s king to declare a state of emergency and suspend parliament, sources tell Reuters. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has said he has the parliamentary majority to form a new government, but Muhyiddin—who took office with a two-seat majority—has been in trouble since taking office. The prime minister’s proposal comes as Malaysia faces a resurgence in a pandemic-battered economy and doubts over Muhyiddin’s ability to command a majority in parliament and pass a budget for 2021. An emergency would give extra powers to the prime minister, who can then introduce rules and approve expenditure without the usual parliamentary process. ‘A state of emergency may provide some form of stability in the short term, especially concerning policy implementation,’ Affin Hwang Capital Asset Management said in a research note. ‘Though if left unchecked and prolonged, it is harmful to the country’s democratic process and governance,’ it said, adding that equity and bond markets could see a knee-jerk self off if an emergency is imposed.