Malaysia’s Crown Upset: Prime Minister Faces a Royal Backlash
In a rare twist of fate, the king of Malaysia has publicly taken a stance against his own prime minister. When Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin thought he could silence the emergency ordinances that were enacted during the pandemic, the royal house had other plans. The move has sparked a surge of calls for resignation from both the opposition and UMNO, the biggest party inside the ruling coalition.
What did the royals actually do?
- Revocation without consent: On Thursday, the palace criticised the government’s earlier decision to revoke all emergency ordinances issued since January’s emergency declaration. The removal was made without the king’s approval, which the monarchy said violates the constitution.
- Political context: This drama unfolds after a political chaotic year that began when former PM Mahathir Mohamad unexpectedly quit in February 2020, breaking up a coalition that was already unstable.
- LMK (Loss of Majority Knowledge): Since March 2020, Muhyiddin has navigated a razor-thin majority—just enough to stay in power, but barely enough to keep everyone happy.
The King’s Role and the Big Rip
Malaysia’s monarchy is largely ceremonial, acting on the prime minister’s counsel. But the king does have the final say when it comes to declaring emergencies and appointing the head of government. If you’re willing to take a page from the Twilight Zone, you might say the king can also decide “do I want to sign or not?”
UMNO’s Bold Call
UMNO’s president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, blasted the move as “a clear act of treason towards the King.” This was compounded by the fact that the monarch had urged a parliamentary debate about the emergency ordinances—something that happened, and then the ordinances were revoked on their own floor!
The Opposition’s Confidence Vote
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim filed a motion of no confidence, claiming that a majority of lawmakers no longer backed the prime minister. While Deputy PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob countered with the claim that the government still holds the support of 110 out of 222 parliamentarians.
So, what’s the takeaway?
1. The king isn’t just a passive figurehead—he can and indeed will intervene when the constitutional order is at stake.
2. The delicate balance between power and constitution in Malaysia can tip dramatically—especially when the prime minister decides to act without royal consent.
3. Watch the next parliamentary session like it’s a reality show—there’s drama, power plays, and—yes—some unexpected plot twists. The last thing you’ll need is to watch a fairy tale unfold in real life. Stay tuned, mates!