Malaysia's king declared a nationwide state of emergency to fight a coronavirus surge that is overwhelming hospitals, with critics charging it was a move by an unstable government to cling to power.

The announcement came a day after the prime minister introduced sweeping new curbs across much of the Southeast Asian nation, including the closure of most businesses, and warned the health system was “at breaking point”, AFP reported.

The move allows for the suspension of parliament and political activities, such as local elections, and comes at a time Muhyiddin's highly unstable, 10-month-old government is facing a host of challenges.

Key allies in his ruling coalition are threatening to withdraw support, which could lead to the collapse of the government and snap national polls that some fear could worsen the outbreak.