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| Democracy Fades in Malaysia as Old Order Returns to Power | Democracy Fades in Malaysia as Old Order Returns to Power |
| (3 days later) | |
| BANGKOK — The members of Malaysia’s Parliament, wearing face masks to match their crisp white uniforms, convened this week in the vast lower house chamber for the first time this year. | BANGKOK — The members of Malaysia’s Parliament, wearing face masks to match their crisp white uniforms, convened this week in the vast lower house chamber for the first time this year. |
| Malaysia’s king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, sat on an ornate golden throne and spoke for half an hour. No questions were allowed. No votes were taken. Afterward, Parliament was adjourned until July. | Malaysia’s king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, sat on an ornate golden throne and spoke for half an hour. No questions were allowed. No votes were taken. Afterward, Parliament was adjourned until July. |
| This is what passes today for democracy in Malaysia. | This is what passes today for democracy in Malaysia. |
| Voters made history in 2018 when they ousted the scandal-stained governing coalition that had dominated the country for more than 60 years. But in recent months, that result has been reversed, all without a new election or a vote in Parliament. | Voters made history in 2018 when they ousted the scandal-stained governing coalition that had dominated the country for more than 60 years. But in recent months, that result has been reversed, all without a new election or a vote in Parliament. |
| With an assist from the country’s king, politicians from the previous government are back in power in a new coalition. Like autocrats around the world and across the region, Malaysia’s new leaders have used the coronavirus as a pretext to erode democratic norms, suspend the rule of law and consolidate power. | With an assist from the country’s king, politicians from the previous government are back in power in a new coalition. Like autocrats around the world and across the region, Malaysia’s new leaders have used the coronavirus as a pretext to erode democratic norms, suspend the rule of law and consolidate power. |
| Muhyiddin Yassin, the newly appointed prime minister, and his allies have benefited from restrictions intended to slow the spread of the virus, but which have also limited the ability of opponents to organize and challenge them. | Muhyiddin Yassin, the newly appointed prime minister, and his allies have benefited from restrictions intended to slow the spread of the virus, but which have also limited the ability of opponents to organize and challenge them. |
| The new governing coalition includes the former prime minister, Najib Razak, who is accused of siphoning billions of dollars from a government investment fund he once controlled. | The new governing coalition includes the former prime minister, Najib Razak, who is accused of siphoning billions of dollars from a government investment fund he once controlled. |
| Mr. Najib, now a mere member of Parliament, attended Monday’s session before heading to court on Tuesday for a hearing in his corruption case. He faces dozens of criminal charges and multiple trials, assuming the new government continues to prosecute him. | Mr. Najib, now a mere member of Parliament, attended Monday’s session before heading to court on Tuesday for a hearing in his corruption case. He faces dozens of criminal charges and multiple trials, assuming the new government continues to prosecute him. |
| Last week, the government dropped money-laundering charges against Mr. Najib’s stepson, the Hollywood producer Riza Aziz, and it will apparently allow him to keep $83 million of the quarter-billion in government funds he was accused of receiving. | Last week, the government dropped money-laundering charges against Mr. Najib’s stepson, the Hollywood producer Riza Aziz, and it will apparently allow him to keep $83 million of the quarter-billion in government funds he was accused of receiving. |
| In a blistering statement posted Thursday on his blog, Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister who once mentored and later helped to oust Mr. Najib, criticized the new government for dismissing the charges against Mr. Riza. | In a blistering statement posted Thursday on his blog, Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister who once mentored and later helped to oust Mr. Najib, criticized the new government for dismissing the charges against Mr. Riza. |
| “He is going to retain money stolen by him and be acquitted as well,” wrote Mr. Mahathir, who will turn 95 in July. “The public is disgusted and angry. Is this the kind of justice practiced in Malaysia?” | “He is going to retain money stolen by him and be acquitted as well,” wrote Mr. Mahathir, who will turn 95 in July. “The public is disgusted and angry. Is this the kind of justice practiced in Malaysia?” |
| Mr. Mahathir, who was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, came out of retirement in 2018 to defeat Mr. Najib and his ethnic-based party, the United Malays National Organization, in a stunning upset election victory. | Mr. Mahathir, who was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, came out of retirement in 2018 to defeat Mr. Najib and his ethnic-based party, the United Malays National Organization, in a stunning upset election victory. |
| But squabbling within Mr. Mahathir’s coalition, including over when he would step aside as prime minister for his rival, Anwar Ibrahim, helped bring the government down in February after only 21 months. | But squabbling within Mr. Mahathir’s coalition, including over when he would step aside as prime minister for his rival, Anwar Ibrahim, helped bring the government down in February after only 21 months. |
| Key members of the coalition defected, including Muhyiddin Yassin, who at times had been an ally of both Mr. Mahathir and Mr. Najib. | Key members of the coalition defected, including Muhyiddin Yassin, who at times had been an ally of both Mr. Mahathir and Mr. Najib. |
| Mr. Muhyiddin formed a new coalition that included Mr. Najib, and on March 1 the king appointed Mr. Muhyiddin prime minister. | Mr. Muhyiddin formed a new coalition that included Mr. Najib, and on March 1 the king appointed Mr. Muhyiddin prime minister. |
| “This government may not be the government that you voted for,” Mr. Muhyiddin said in a speech to the nation soon after taking power. “But I want all of you to know that this government cares for you.” | “This government may not be the government that you voted for,” Mr. Muhyiddin said in a speech to the nation soon after taking power. “But I want all of you to know that this government cares for you.” |
| Malaysia’s kingship is a largely ceremonial position that rotates every five years among the country’s nine hereditary sultans. But the Constitution gives the king one important power: to appoint a prime minister who, in his estimation, has the backing of Parliament’s 224-member lower house. No vote is required. | Malaysia’s kingship is a largely ceremonial position that rotates every five years among the country’s nine hereditary sultans. But the Constitution gives the king one important power: to appoint a prime minister who, in his estimation, has the backing of Parliament’s 224-member lower house. No vote is required. |
| In his address to Parliament, the king explained that he had needed to step in and end the leadership stalemate. | In his address to Parliament, the king explained that he had needed to step in and end the leadership stalemate. |
| “Surely, every contest will have a conclusion,” he said. “The country’s political wrangling could not be allowed to fester without any end.” | “Surely, every contest will have a conclusion,” he said. “The country’s political wrangling could not be allowed to fester without any end.” |
| Mr. Anwar, now the leader of the opposition, has called the new ruling coalition a “backdoor government” that took power in “a coup.” | Mr. Anwar, now the leader of the opposition, has called the new ruling coalition a “backdoor government” that took power in “a coup.” |
| “The issue of legitimacy is still hanging,” he said in an interview. “They don’t even have the courage to test their majority.” | “The issue of legitimacy is still hanging,” he said in an interview. “They don’t even have the courage to test their majority.” |
| The timing of the pandemic helped Mr. Muhyiddin consolidate power despite holding a razor-thin majority in Parliament. | The timing of the pandemic helped Mr. Muhyiddin consolidate power despite holding a razor-thin majority in Parliament. |
| He became prime minister just as the coronavirus was taking off in Malaysia, after a gathering of an Islamic revivalist group, Tablighi Jamaat, became one of the biggest sources of the virus’s spread in Southeast Asia. | He became prime minister just as the coronavirus was taking off in Malaysia, after a gathering of an Islamic revivalist group, Tablighi Jamaat, became one of the biggest sources of the virus’s spread in Southeast Asia. |
| Mr. Muhyiddin’s government imposed social distancing measures that slowed the virus’s spread but also, conveniently, minimized opportunities for his opponents to mobilize against him. | Mr. Muhyiddin’s government imposed social distancing measures that slowed the virus’s spread but also, conveniently, minimized opportunities for his opponents to mobilize against him. |
| He canceled Parliament’s March session because of the pandemic, and limits on public gatherings have prevented the kind of protests seen in the Najib era, when tens of thousands of people took to the streets demanding his resignation. | He canceled Parliament’s March session because of the pandemic, and limits on public gatherings have prevented the kind of protests seen in the Najib era, when tens of thousands of people took to the streets demanding his resignation. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Meanwhile, Mr. Muhyiddin has been building support by handing out perks to members of Parliament, making 73 of them ministers, deputy ministers or special envoys. He also named at least 19 lawmakers to key positions in government-linked companies. If his leadership ever comes to a vote, he needs the support of only 113 lawmakers to retain power. | Meanwhile, Mr. Muhyiddin has been building support by handing out perks to members of Parliament, making 73 of them ministers, deputy ministers or special envoys. He also named at least 19 lawmakers to key positions in government-linked companies. If his leadership ever comes to a vote, he needs the support of only 113 lawmakers to retain power. |
| “Covid-19 allows them to do all sorts of monkey business,” said James Chin, professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania. “Everything is up for grabs.” | “Covid-19 allows them to do all sorts of monkey business,” said James Chin, professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania. “Everything is up for grabs.” |
| As of Thursday, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health had recorded a total of 7,057 confirmed coronavirus cases and 114 deaths. | As of Thursday, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health had recorded a total of 7,057 confirmed coronavirus cases and 114 deaths. |
| On Friday, Mr. Muhyiddin entered quarantine at home after attending a meeting Wednesday with an official who later tested positive for the virus, his office said. It said Mr. Muhyiddin had tested negative for the virus. | On Friday, Mr. Muhyiddin entered quarantine at home after attending a meeting Wednesday with an official who later tested positive for the virus, his office said. It said Mr. Muhyiddin had tested negative for the virus. |
| Parliament was required to convene by last week because it had not met for nearly six months. Normally, sessions run for several days. But citing the virus risk, Mr. Muhyiddin kept the session short and refused to allow motions, including an attempt by Mr. Mahathir to call for a no-confidence vote. | Parliament was required to convene by last week because it had not met for nearly six months. Normally, sessions run for several days. But citing the virus risk, Mr. Muhyiddin kept the session short and refused to allow motions, including an attempt by Mr. Mahathir to call for a no-confidence vote. |
| “We cannot accept the reasoning that because of the pandemic we can only meet for two hours,” Mr. Mahathir told reporters afterward. “This will spell the end of democracy, as we cannot speak as representatives of the people.” | “We cannot accept the reasoning that because of the pandemic we can only meet for two hours,” Mr. Mahathir told reporters afterward. “This will spell the end of democracy, as we cannot speak as representatives of the people.” |
| Perhaps the new government’s most significant action to date has been dropping the five money-laundering charges against Mr. Riza. | Perhaps the new government’s most significant action to date has been dropping the five money-laundering charges against Mr. Riza. |
| Mr. Riza, who produced“The Wolf of Wall Street,” was accused of receiving $248 million from the investment fund his stepfather controlled, known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad. He faced five years in prison on each count and total penalties of up to $1.2 billion. | Mr. Riza, who produced“The Wolf of Wall Street,” was accused of receiving $248 million from the investment fund his stepfather controlled, known as 1Malaysia Development Berhad. He faced five years in prison on each count and total penalties of up to $1.2 billion. |
| Under the terms of the dismissal, he must return about $108 million, in addition to $57 million in assets he had already forfeited to the United States Department of Justice. But in a summary of the agreement, the new attorney general, Idrus Harun, makes no mention of Mr. Riza returning the remaining $83 million. | Under the terms of the dismissal, he must return about $108 million, in addition to $57 million in assets he had already forfeited to the United States Department of Justice. But in a summary of the agreement, the new attorney general, Idrus Harun, makes no mention of Mr. Riza returning the remaining $83 million. |
| “I would have never sanctioned this deal,” said Tommy Thomas, the former attorney general who oversaw Mr. Riza’s prosecution under the previous government. | “I would have never sanctioned this deal,” said Tommy Thomas, the former attorney general who oversaw Mr. Riza’s prosecution under the previous government. |
| “It is a sweetheart deal for Riza,” Mr. Thomas said, “but terrible for Malaysia.” | “It is a sweetheart deal for Riza,” Mr. Thomas said, “but terrible for Malaysia.” |