In view of the growing number of Covid-19 cases, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has consented to a Declaration of Emergency Proclamation based on Clause (1) Article 150 of the Federal Constitution.

The emergency will last until Aug. 1 or earlier depending on the state of coronavirus infections, the palace said in a statement.

"Al-Sultan Abdullah is of the opinion that the spread of COVID-19 is at a critical stage and that there is a need to declare a proclamation of emergency," the palace said.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin requested the emergency as a proactive measure to curb the number of infections, it said.

The move comes amid infighting within Malaysia’s largest ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation, on whether or not to hold a snap election by March. UMNO is expected to make a final decision on the matter during its general assembly on Jan. 31.

Muhyiddin has maintained that an election should only be held after the coronavirus is under control. Signs point to the pandemic worsening: daily infections climbed to a record for two straight days last week, pushing the health system to breaking point.

Reference Links - 
[1] Istana Negara 
[2] Bloomberg