Malaysian parliamentary session cancelled

A session of the Malaysian Parliament originally scheduled to convene today to discuss the 12th Malaysian Plan has been cancelled during the nation’s ongoing political crisis.

Parliament was suspended at the end of February when Malaysia’s Sultan Abdullah Shah declared a state of emergency at the request of embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin amid a spike in COVID-19 infections. Critics have labeled the suspension an attempt by Yassin to avoid a vote of no confidence. Yassin was never elected, instead, he was appointed by Sultan Abdullah after the collapse of the previous government, raising concerns about his legitimacy.

Following an announcement by Sultan Abdullah that parliament may convene during a state of emergency, expect a new session to be convened and a vote of no confidence to follow. After key coalition ally, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Party, withdrew support for Yassin, expect this vote to lead to his ouster and the dissolution of his government, triggering a general election. The dissolution of the current government will likely hamper economic growth as the discussion of the 12th Malaysian Plan—a bundle of reforms aimed at modernizing the economy and infrastructure—will be tabled until a new government is formed.