KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu today said that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is in a "state of emergency” to defend his position as prime minister.

The former defence minister, better known as Mat Sabu, also questioned the need for a state of emergency in the country when existing laws can be used to eradicate the Covid-19 epidemic effectively.

"For me the real emergency is Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin himself, not the country. He is in a 'state of emergency' to defend his position as prime minister,” he said in a short statement this evening.

This comes as speculation is rife that Muhyiddin is meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today to declare a state of emergency in the country, as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The prime minister was seen entering the Agong’s palace in Pahang at 4.40pm today.

However, alongside Mat Sabu, many have questioned the move, including Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah and ex-PNB Permodalan Nasional chief executive officer Jalil Rasheed.