FMT has been made to understand that there will not be any live address by the prime minister tonight. An official statement is also unlikely to be issued.

Bernama reported earlier that Muhyiddin’s car was seen leaving the palace at 7.10pm. He had arrived at the palace at 4.40pm.

Also spotted was the vehicle carrying Chief of Defence Forces, General Affendi Buang, and several other official cars of the Pahang state government.

Bernama was made to understand that the entourage was leaving straight to the Kuantan air base to board a plane back to Kuala Lumpur.

Muhyiddin had chaired a special Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya earlier today to discuss current issues and government affairs. Affendi was also believed to have been in attendance at the meeting.

There has been widespread speculation that the government has sought emergency powers for dealing with the recent surge in Covid-19 infections, of up to 700-800 new cases a day.

The speculated move for emergency powers has been widely condemned by the political opposition who claim that it is an admission of failure as well as an attempt by Muhyiddin to salvage his position in the face of several confidence motions being brought to the Dewan Rakyat.

Several prominent lawyers have also said emergency powers were unnecessary, as there were sufficient powers under present laws to deal with the crisis.