“DAULAT Tuanku” began trending on Twitter soon after Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah rejected Putrajaya’s request for an emergency to supposedly curb Covid-19 in the country. 

Social media users welcomed the move, some describing it as a decision made in the rakyat’s best interest. 

“The Agong really came out with a statement to tell politicians to stop politicking and stop carrying such irresponsible acts that will make the nation unstable. The Agong has truly put these politicians back in their seats and tell them to wake up. Daulat Tuanku.” @heyitsmaryamxo said. 

“Thank you beloved YDP Agong! Glad we rakyat have you as our shield of defence when the rest failed to protect us. Daulat Tuanku!” @pravinvejan said.

“Daulat Tuanku. Thank god we have Royals who put country and people before any political ideology. Great decision for our country and people. This is (a) great reply for power craze politicians,” @saravanan781225 said. 

Another Twitter user @miraaawahab said, “Our King is the last line of defence for rakyat against corrupted politicians. Daulat Tuanku!”

“Clearly, Darurat is politically motivated. No countr(y) introduced a state of emergency while hanging the parliament to dry. Daulat Tuanku,” said @BernardGT. 

News since Friday that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was seeking the king’s audience for a proclamation of emergency was met with anger by Malaysians.

Critics of the proposal say that although the number of coronavirus infections are indeed rising, Malaysia is not in such grave danger to warrant an emergency, as the government’s strategy to flatten the curve in an earlier wave of the pandemic had been successful.

Critics also charge the proposal was political driven, with Muhyiddin seeking Parliament’s suspension to avoid facing a motion of no confidence and defeat in the government’s budget for 2021.

This afternoon, Istana Negara issued a statement that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had denied the government’s proposal for an emergency.

The king is of the view the government’s measures so far to fight the pandemic have been effective.

“Daulat Tuanku! Let it be known in the history books that the current Prime Minister and his Cabinet tried to irresponsibly use provisions in the Constitution in order to cling to power,” @LutfiAfiq said. 

MCA’s @ChanQuinEr said the king’s decision was in line with Malaysian’s concerns. “Daulat Tuanku. Emergency has always been the last resort, only used when normal functioning of state can no longer be maintained. His Majesty’s royal decision (is characteristic of) Malaysians’ common pride and love for our democracy,” she said. 

“Daulat Tuanku! Thank you for hearing our voices. Now the ppl up there pls stop the bull**** politicking & focus on the covid-19 pandemic & how this country & the people should move forward!” @h1jabae said. 

“Daulat Tuanku for not allowing the government to claim that Covid-19 has become so “threatening” that we have a “grave emergency” to Proclaim A State Of Emergency!!! Swift and superb decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” @Nurulmuhaniza said. 

“DAULAT TUANKU!!! This is probably the first time I have said this with pure sincerity,” @mervynmark said. – October 25, 2020.