KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Sin Chew Daily) – In view of the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country, prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is seeking the consent of His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a state of emergency that will not impact the people's day-to-day living and economic activities in the absence of any curfew.

According to a source, all political activities will also be halted.

Among the proposals made in this morning's special cabinet meeting are the declaration of emergency and dissolution of the Parliament to pave way for general elections as soon as COVID-19 is put under control.

A cabinet source told Sin Chew Daily the "state of emergency" this time will not be the same as the one during the May 13 riots in 1969, as no curfew will be imposed and all economic activities can be carried out as usual, as well as day-to-day living of ordinary citizens and operations of government departments.

"We are now focusing on fighting the virus and developing the country's economy. We have discussed various possibilities but have not made the decision."