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Minggu, 25 Oktober 2020

Spain announces new state of emergency as COVID-19 infections soar - CNA

MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a new state of emergency on Sunday (Oct 25) in an effort to curb soaring coronavirus infections, imposing local nighttime curfews and banning travel between regions in some cases.

The measures go into force from Sunday night and will require all regions except the Canary Islands to impose a nighttime curfew and limit the number of people allowed to meet to six.

"We are living in an extreme situation ... it is the most serious health crisis in the last century," he told a news conference following a cabinet meeting.

Catalonia was one of the first regions on Sunday to use the new legislation to impose a curfew, which will take effect at 10pm. Establishments open to the public will have to close at 9pm.

Police were patrolling the city before the curfew took effect and locals welcomed the new rule.

"I believe that in a certain way a measure had to be taken because everything was getting a little out of control," said vocational training teacher Paula. "I think more measures will come, but it's a good start."

Other regions that announced curfews from Sunday night included Cantabria and La Rioja.

Spain imposed one of the toughest lockdowns early on in the pandemic and then relaxed curbs over the summer.

But like many other European countries it has seen a second wave hit in recent weeks, and now has one of the highest numbers of infections in Western Europe. Total cases rose to 1,046,132 on Friday, while the death toll is nearing 35,000.

READ: Spain mulls curfews to contain 'out of control' COVID-19 pandemic

The state of emergency will need parliamentary approval to last beyond 15 days. Sanchez asked for parliament to approve its extension up to May 9.

A growing number of regions had been calling on the government to implement the measure.

The Madrid region had already limited the number of people who could meet inside homes to six, as well as banning the mixing of different households overnight.

Canary Islands vice president Roman Rodriguez tweeted he was "satisfied" the tourist hotspot had been excluded from the curfews but encouraged people not to let their guard down.

The islands hope to save their tourist season after the UK and Germany decided last week they were no longer a travel risk.

READ: Spain to extend COVID-19 furlough scheme until Jan 2021

The decree will serve as a legal framework to implement a new warning system of levels, similar to the ones already applied in countries such as Germany and France.

According to the level of risk, travelling between regions could be banned if a regions decides, except for justified reasons such as working. Movement could also be restricted within regions in localised lockdowns.

Most of the regions are already above the parameters to be considered at the highest level of risk.

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2020-10-25 18:56:15Z
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Muhyiddin ‘contemplating resignation’ after king rejects emergency plan - South China Morning Post

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Muhyiddin ‘contemplating resignation’ after king rejects emergency plan South China Morning Post
Live: Muhyiddin's emergency plan rejected by Malaysia's King The Straits Times
COVID-19: No need to declare state of emergency at this time, says Malaysian king CNA
State of emergency to be declared? New Straits Times
Talk of a state of emergency reaches fever pitch The Star Online
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2020-10-25 16:29:00Z
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Malaysia's King rejects PM Muhyiddin's state of emergency plan - The Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR - In the latest twist to Malaysia’s ongoing political saga, its King surprisingly rejected a controversial plan proposed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to impose emergency measures on the country, after discussing the matter with other state monarchs.

Mr Muhyiddin’s suggestion was ostensibly aimed at tackling the Covid-19 pandemic without political distractions. His opponents, however, claimed he no longer commanded a majority support in Parliament, and was using the pandemic as an excuse to stay in power.

On Sunday (Oct 25), the King rejected his proposal while offering him verbal support in the ongoing political uncertainty.

“The government has managed the pandemic well and effectively and the King believes the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin can continue implementing its policies and enforcement measures to curb the spread of the pandemic,” said the royal comptroller Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.

“There is no need at this time for His Majesty to declare an emergency in this country or any part of Malaysia.”

The proposal, which would have suspended Parliament, had drawn flak for being excessive, and for providing Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s embattled administration a means to avoid having its majority tested when the Lower House reconvenes next month.

Despite rejecting the emergency plan, the remarks from the Palace yesterday appeared to endorse Mr Muhyiddin’s government.

The King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, called on parliamentarians to cease all politicking and not to destabilise the existing government. He also stressed that Budget 2021, which will be tabled in Parliament on Nov 6, is crucial in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and revitalising the economy.

“... there is no need for MPs to continue irresponsible actions that can threaten the stability of the existing government”, said Datuk Fadil.

The Cabinet decision to request for emergency measures had come amid growing uncertainty over Mr Muhyiddin’s control of Parliament ahead of a vote on next year’s Budget.

Mr Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition governs with a slim majority of 113 MPs in the 222-strong Lower House, and he faces several no-confidence motions from his rivals.

He also faces a challenge from Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim who said in late September that he has a “formidable majority” to helm a new government.

Meanwhile Umno, the largest party in PN, had threatened to leave the alliance, although it later backtracked and said it would support PN.

The Straits Times has learnt that Mr Muhyiddin was locked in deep discussions with close advisors and allies at his residence late Sunday night, to strategise how to react to the setback.

Emergency measures, government sources say, would have forestalled a Budget vote, and the need for the country to hold a general election during a pandemic, in the event Mr Muhyddin’s government fails to pass the Budget and prove its majority.

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa had earlier said an emergency would be one way to legally delay upcoming elections which have been of concern since last month’s Sabah’s polls saw infections spike.

A parliamentary by-election in Sabah is due on Dec 5, while Sarawak must also hold a state election by mid-2021.

Malaysia is experiencing a third wave of infections, with the total number of Covid-19 cases doubling within the month of October alone.

On Sunday it recorded 823 new cases, all locally-transmitted, bringing the national tally to 26,565. Eight more deaths were reported, bringing the total to 229. Most new cases were from Sabah.

The King on Sunday urged everyone, regardless of political leanings, to set aside their differences and support the government in its efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

A joint statement by the rulers who met yesterday also stressed the importance of the King’s role in “balancing out various requests to ensure justice and to limit any element of abuse of power”.

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2020-10-25 15:24:56Z
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Protesters return to Bangkok streets to pressure PM - CNA

BANGKOK: Thousands of people protested in the centre of Thailand's capital Bangkok on Sunday (Oct 25) in the first demonstration since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ignored their Saturday night deadline to resign.

It was also the first major show of force since Prayut lifted Oct 15 emergency measures that had been meant to stop three months of protests against the government and monarchy, but which brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets.

"If he doesn't resign, then we must come out to ask him to quit in a peaceful way," protest leader Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa said as people chanted "Prayut Out".

"I want Prayut to think as a citizen rather than as a prime minister," said 43-year-old Nuch. "The economy is really bad - since he cannot solve the problem, he should resign and let someone else do it."

Thailand Protests — Protesters gather, flashing three-fingered salutes near a main shopping district in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct 25, 2020. (Photo: AP/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

The prime minister's office posted a note on Twitter to say he was not quitting. He has said the crisis should be discussed in parliament, which is due to hold a special session on Monday and Tuesday.

But his opponents have little faith in an assembly dominated by his supporters.

There was no sign of a major police presence around protesters at the Ratchaprasong Intersection, an emotive location for protesters as the scene of bloodshed in 2010 in a crackdown by security forces on anti-establishment protests.

A government spokesman said there would be no use of force and called on people to remain peaceful and respect the law.

In the relaxed atmosphere, a group of drag queens gathered to put on a show.

Protests since mid-July have put the greatest pressure in years on the establishment, particularly with taboo-breaking calls to limit the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's monarchy.

On Monday, protesters are planning to march to the German Embassy in a message to the king, who is currently in Thailand, but spends much of his time in Germany.

The monarch has been back in Thailand for the past week and a half to commemorate a Buddhist holiday and the death of his late father Bhumibol Adulyadej.

He has not commented on the demonstrations, despite tension in Bangkok as protesters grow bolder in their challenge to the royal institution.

But the king has made rare public visits with his supporters waiting outside the palace - a charm offensive for an army of local and international media.

On Friday, he broke with royal protocol to praise a man who had held up a portrait of the king's parents at a pro-democracy rally.

"Very brave. So good. Thank you," the king told the man, according to footage posted on Facebook.

Following the interaction, that quote trended as a hashtag on Twitter in Thailand.

Also top-trending Sunday morning was the hashtag "25 October mob".

"Going to the German Embassy reflects the evident problem of the king's exercise of power is making many people uncomfortable and raises questions whether it violates the German law," said activist Piyarat "Toto" Chongthep.

Protesters seek the departure of Prayut and a new Constitution. He rejects their accusation that he engineered last year's election to keep power he first took in a 2014 coup. They have also demanded curbs on the monarchy, saying it has enabled decades of military domination.

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2020-10-25 11:37:30Z
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COVID-19: No need to declare state of emergency at this time, says Malaysian king - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to declare a state of emergency in Malaysia at this time, said King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Sunday (Oct 25), in response to suggestions put forward by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin regarding the COVID-19 situation.

In a statement issued by the palace, Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said that the king "is of the opinion, that at this time, there is no need for His Majesty to implement a state of emergency in the country or any specific areas of the country."

"Even so, His Majesty would like to remind politicians to immediately stop all politicking that could disrupt the stability of the government," the statement said.

"Al-Sultan Abdullah is also of the opinion that there is no need for Members of Parliament to continue their irresponsible actions that may jeopardize the stability of the existing Government," Mr Ahmad Fadhil added.

The statement added that the National Budget, which will be tabled in Parliament in November, "is very important to the people in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and reviving the country's economy".

"Therefore, financial allocation is very much needed by frontline staff to undergo their duties and responsibilities."

The announcement was made after the king met other Malay rulers earlier in the day to discuss the suggestions put forward by Mr Muhyiddin.

Article 150 of the Constitution stipulates that the Malaysian king may issue a proclamation of emergency, upon the advice of the prime minister, if he is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security, economic life or public order is threatened.

COVID-19 cases in Malaysia have now surged to more than 25,000, with a record daily jump of 1,228 new cases reported on Saturday.

On Friday, Mr Muhyiddin had chaired a special Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya. Following that, he sought an audience with the king at the latter's palace in Kuantan, Pahang.

The king said on Saturday that he would meet with the other Malay rulers to discuss the suggestions put forward by the prime minister.

Muhyiddin Yassin Kuantan palace — A car believed to be carrying Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin arriving at Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan, Pahang on Oct 23, 2020 for an audience with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. (Photo: Bernama)

Commenting on the king's meeting with the other rulers, Mr Ahmad Fadhil said: "After considering the request (from the prime minister) and discussing with the Malay rulers, and considering the situation of the country, Al-Sultan Abdullah felt the current government has managed to deal with this pandemic well and effectively.

"His Majesty strongly believes in the ability of the Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister to continue to implement policies and enforcement actions to curb the symptoms of the COVID-19 epidemic from continuing to spread."

Rumours that Mr Muhyiddin wanted to impose a state of emergency had prompted opposition leaders to condemn the proposal.

Opposition leader and Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Anwar Ibrahim has said that the proposal would curb the parliamentary process.

"Today, we have a government which lacks legitimacy, and which knows it would fail to demonstrate majority support in parliament, and is using the COVID-19 crisis as an excuse to justify its abuse of power," the opposition leader said in a statement on Friday.

Mr Anwar, who leads the Pakatan Harapan (PH) bloc in parliament against Mr Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, also strongly advised the latter to consider the legacy of his actions.

The Malaysian parliament is set to reconvene on Nov 2, with the tabling of next year's budget on Nov 6. Moreover, polling for Batu Sapi by-election in Sabah has been set for Dec 5.

In March, the rising case number had compelled the government to institute a nationwide movement control order (MCO) to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

It was eased into a conditional MCO (CMCO) in early May and a recovery MCO in June as case numbers began to fall, while targeted enhanced MCO was applied at areas with local surges.

READ: Malaysian opposition politicians condemn possible emergency measures amid speculation

However, there has been a sharp rise in cases following the conclusion of the Sabah state election as a result of an outbreak at a Lahad Datu lock-up. Currently, the states of Selangor and Sabah, and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya have been placed under CMCO again.

Meanwhile, political drama has dragged on in the country, with Mr Anwar claiming he had a convincing majority to take over the government.

On Wednesday, the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), which is part of Mr Muhyiddin's government, called for a "political ceasefire" in order to focus efforts on combatting the plague.

Previously, the party had been agitating for a fairer redistribution of government positions and ministerial posts as it has the largest number of Members of Parliament in the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-10-25 11:26:15Z
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