Reuters 2 minute read KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Reuters) - Malaysia will not extend a months-long national state of emergency when it ends on Aug. 1, law minister Takiyuddin Hassan said on Monday. The Southeast Asian country has been under emergency rule since January, with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin arguing it was needed to curb the spread of COVID-19. But critics have slammed the move and accused the premier of trying to cling to power amid a slim majority. Despite the emergency and strict lockdowns, the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia has only worsened, triggering public anger. Malaysia reported a record number of cases on Sunday, taking the total number of infections past 1 million. Its per capita infection rate is the highest in the region.