Over the past week the eyes of the world may have been drawn to the demonstrations in Bangkok, but it has been a tempestuous few days in Thailand's southern neighbour, too. Malaysia may, in fact, have just narrowly avoided what could have turned into its worst constitutional crisis for decades.
The story began last Friday, when word spread that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had convened his cabinet to agree that he should seek an audience with the country's King, Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, in order to propose that a state of emergency be declared. In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, that may not seem wholly extraordinary. According to one estimate, 79 countries have instituted various degrees of emergency rule to deal with the virus.
But in Malaysia a nationwide emergency – under which the government of the day has almost unlimited powers and parliament can be suspended – has only been declared twice: firstly, during the "Confrontation" with Indonesia in 1964, and secondly after the May 13 race riots in 1969. Those riots, during which hundreds died and older people still recall hiding in fortified houses, are the defining scar on the national psyche. The country was taken over by a National Operations Council, parliament did not sit again until 1971, and government policy shifted permanently to one re-emphasising the rights of ethnic Malays and their centrality to Malaysia's very being as a state.
A mural in Kuala Lumpur depicting Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has faced a few setbacks in recent times. Reuters
So the idea of a national emergency has almost apocalyptic resonance in the country. Many felt that while infections have been rising after being almost contained earlier in the year, it would be illegitimate to impose such a draconian measure, which was not required when a far tougher lockdown that parts of Malaysia are currently under was rolled out in March. The suspicion was that an emergency would be a way for Mr Muhyiddin to avoid testing his majority – which has been paper thin since his Perikatan Nasional government was formed in February – in parliament next month.
A host of voices were raised against the move: from the Pakatan Harapan opposition, which had been in government since the 2018 general election, with Mr Muhyiddin as home minister, until he led a group of defectors to ally with other parties to form his administration earlier this year; from within the ranks of Perikatan Nasional itself, as the respected elder statesman and former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah issued a statement saying he was "shocked and dismayed" that Mr Muhyiddin should seek such a declaration, which he said would be "the final nail in the coffin" of the country's "already battered economy"; and from civil society groups, including the Malaysian Bar, which warned of "the threat of a potential constitutional crisis should a state of emergency be declared".
Others, however, insisted that Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, and Sultan Abdullah was duty-bound to take any "advice" he was given by Prime Minister Muhyiddin. That is certainly the case in European constitutional monarchies such as the UK, where, if a prime minister were to ask Queen Elizabeth to dissolve parliament and call elections, it is inconceivable that she would say "no". Various provisions of the Malaysian constitution relating to the monarch’s discretionary powers then became more hotly debated than they perhaps have ever been since independence in 1957.
Malaysia opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been attempting to oust Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister. Reuters
In the event, the palace announced that Sultan Abdullah wished to consult Malaysia's other hereditary rulers, who take turns to be the country's monarch every five years. And after they met on Sunday, a statement was issued praising the Muhyiddin government's handling of the pandemic, saying that the King felt there was no need to declare a state of emergency and that he reminded politicians "to immediately stop all politicking that could disrupt the stability of the government".
This very judicious choice of words may have not stopped the "politicking". Various factions have been feverishly weighing whether they should support Mr Muhyiddin or the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, who already claims to have the numbers in parliament, after the palace statement. But it delighted all those – almost certainly the vast majority – who were against an emergency being declared. It may not have satisfied Mr Muhyiddin, but it contained warm words of commendation for him. And crucially, it did not criticise him for raising the proposal.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R) bids farewell to King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia (L), at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R) bids farewell to members of the delegation accompanying King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia (not shown), at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R) bids farewell to members of the delegation accompanying King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia (not shown), at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (centre R) bids farewell to King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia (centre left), at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (right) bids farewell to King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia (2nd right), at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (not shown) bids farewell to King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia (R), at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (C) bids farewell to HM King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia (not shown), at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
The royal discretionary power has increased – which is unheard of in democracies – but this has gained popular approval because it has been presented and accepted as an even-handed and appropriate form of check and balance on the executive
Two things have been clarified. The prime minister retains the right to advise the king, including on emergency powers. But under certain circumstances, the monarch has the right not to take that advice. As the former law minister Zaid Ibrahim tweeted: “The wise king. He will be remembered for setting a precedent.” Referring to Article 150 of the Malaysian constitution – which says that the king may declare an emergency if he “is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security, or the economic life, or public order in the federation or any part thereof is threatened” – Mr Zaid tweeted that Sultan Abdullah had come to “the only correct interpretation that one can give”.
This is a very significant redefinition. It helps that Sultan Abdullah has earned great public affection by his habit of stopping the royal motorcade to help people who have had car accidents, and popping into local eateries to join ordinary Malaysians for curry and roti canai. He has also been careful to consult, as when he asked every single MP whom they supported before appointing Mr Muhyiddin Prime Minister in February.
Malaysia has been fortunate to have a king who has been so attentive to the views and cares of his people. In a time of unprecedented political turmoil he has managed to remain above the fray. The royal discretionary power has increased – which is unheard of in democracies – but this has gained popular approval because it has been presented and accepted as an even-handed and appropriate form of check and balance on the executive. Royalists in Thailand should take note.
Sholto Byrnes is an East Asian affairs columnist for The National
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From Zero
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Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area. Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife. Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”. He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale. Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)
Wednesday
Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
Burnley v Watford (9pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB); Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR); Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE); Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE); Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR); Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA); Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL); Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA); Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR); Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR); Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight: Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany - At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people - Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed - Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest - He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Results
Stage 5:
1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Team Jumbo-Visma 04:19:08
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:03
3. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Sergio Higuita (COL) EF Education-Nippo 00:00:05
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
Coming 2 America
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones
3/5 stars
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR
US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.
KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.
