This handout photo from Malaysia's Department of Information taken and released on May 18, 2020 shows Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah wearing a face mask as he offers prayers during the opening ceremony for the third term of the 14th parliamentary session in Kuala Lumpur. (PHOTO / AFP)

Malaysia’s king on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s request to declare a state of emergency to tackle the pandemic, capping a tense weekend that saw opposition leaders criticize the proposal as an attempt by the premier to retain control amid a power struggle.

The Cabinet has taken note of the king’s opinion and will discuss further the orders, said Muhyiddin in a statement Sunday night

The government has been handling the coronavirus crisis well, the palace said in a statement after the monarch’s meeting with the nation’s other royals. The king also asked lawmakers to stop politicking that could affect the stability of the country.

The king’s decision comes just before Muhyiddin is set to have his razor-thin majority tested when the parliament reconvenes early next month to discuss the 2021 budget that’s due on Nov 6. Failing to pass the budget is akin to losing a no-confidence vote, analysts say. A state of emergency means the budget would not be put to a vote.

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The Cabinet has taken note of the king’s opinion and will discuss further the orders, said Muhyiddin in a statement Sunday night, adding that he welcomed the advice that the stability of the government is not disturbed.

Malaysia’s ringgit traded near a one-month low Monday while sovereign bonds extended losses. The currency has weakened in October, lagging Asian peers which have all risen on the back of a weaker dollar. The stock benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index slipped 0.7 percent to its lowest level since Sept 11.