⁍ Malaysia’s rulers met on Sunday to discuss what sources have said is a proposal by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to impose a state of emergency.

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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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⁍ The prime minister’s proposal comes as Malaysia faces a resurgence in COVID-19, a pandemic-battered economy.

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– Malaysia’s king is meeting today to discuss Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s proposal to declare a state of emergency and suspend parliament, Reuters reports. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has said he has the parliamentary majority to form a new government, but Muhyiddin has been in crisis mode since taking office with a two-seat majority. Critics say he is trying to stay in power amid a leadership challenge. “A state of emergency may provide some form of stability in the short term, especially concerning policy implementation,” said one research note. “Though if left unchecked and prolonged, it is harmful to the country’s democratic process and governance.” Malaysia’s king has the right to declare an emergency based on threats to security, economy, or public order, and the Council of Rulers has the power to withhold consent from any law. An emergency would give extra powers to the prime minister, who can then introduce rules and approve expenditure without the usual parliamentary process. Several political leaders from the opposition and even the ruling coalition have come out against the proposed emergency, saying there was no justification for it except to prevent the collapse of the government. Some opposition lawmakers have also suggested a ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement under the Westminster system, which would mean opposition lawmakers vote in favor of the government on certain bills. Media reports have said Muhyiddin’s emergency proposal seeks to suspend political activities and would not affect other economic activity.