NEW DELHI: Malaysia’s king, Abullah of Pahang, announced a state of emergency in Southeast Asian nation. This move could allow the government to delay elections as it handles worsening COVID-19 pandemic. The currency of Malaysia, Ringit, and the country’s main stocks index have declined.
According to a statement by the palace on Tuesday, January 12, His Royal Majesty has given permission for the declaration of emergency to be implemented as proactive measures to control the spread of coronavirus. The decision was announced a day after the Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin enforced a two-week targeted lockdown in most of the country starting on Wednesday, January 13, to suppress the rise in infections.
According to the statement, the spread of COVID-19 cases rapidly increased in Malaysia after a local election occurred in September 2020. The emergency measure will end on Sunday, August 1, 2021, or sooner if the pandemic abates. Yassin has maintained that an election should be expected only after the pandemic is under control.