Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is under increasing pressure from other members of his government. Photo: AP
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https://scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3107412/malaysias-king-urges-mps-support-budget-offset-effects Southeast Asia
Malaysia’s king urges MPs to support budget to offset effects of coronavirus pandemic
- King Al-Sultan Abdullah said next year’s budget is vital in helping the public manage the effects of the coronavirus and restore the economy
- Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is under pressure from other members of his coalition after failed attempt to secure royal assent to declare emergency rule
Malaysia's King, Al-Sultan Abdullah inspects a guard of honour. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia’s King Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin once again threw his weight behind embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, urging lawmakers to support the 2021 budget proposal that will be tabled for approval in the parliament next Friday, the palace said in a statement on Wednesday.
With the chance of success for the no-confidence vote looking remote due to a technicality, the premier’s rivals had planned to use the budget vote as a proxy no-confidence vote against him when the House of Representatives, the lower house in the parliament, begin its last meeting of the year, next week.
However, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, comptroller of the Royal Household, said in the statement that the king advised all the lawmakers to give “full support” to the 2021 budget.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah calls on the Members of Parliament to respect His Majesty’s advice for them to stop all political disputes and instead focus on the people’s welfare and the country’s well-being so that Budget 2021 can be approved without any hindrance,” he said.
The statement was issued after the king held a routine weekly pre-Cabinet meeting with Muhyiddin at the palace.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the king was briefed on the proposed budget scheduled to be tabled in the lower house on November 6.
“Al Sultan Abdullah also expressed full confidence on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s ability to lead the country at a time when the country is tested with multiple crises,” Ahmad Fadil said.
This is the second time this week the palace issued a statement endorsing Muhyiddin, whose grip on power is under threat as he has razor-thin support from only 113 lawmakers out of the 222 in the House of Representatives.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed he has “formidable and convincing” backing from legislators after “many” allegedly had switched allegiance to him to form a new government.
Muhyiddin had tried to suspend parliament by getting the king to declare a state of emergency, purportedly to deal with the pandemic, but King Abdullah on Monday rejected his proposal, saying then he has “full confidence” in Muhyiddin’s ability to deal with the outbreak.