Malaysia declares emergency to curb virus, shoring up government

13 Sept 13:27 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia's king declared a nationwide state of emergency until August 1st to combat the 'critical stage' of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing record infections and a strained healthcare system.
This emergency bolsters Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government by suspending parliament and preventing early elections, stabilizing his precarious hold on power amidst political challenges.
The declaration grants the government powers to introduce laws without parliamentary approval and allows the military and police to assist in public health functions, with assurances that economic activities will be unaffected and no military coup or curfew is in effect.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Yesterday 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.