I’m a believer in the polls, by the way. Rarely do you see a poll that’s very far off.
— Donald Trump, US President
There is no doubt that there is a general feeling of unease among Malaysians. The unprecedented health crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economic meltdown and the prevailing political uncertainties have taken their toll on the nation and its citizenry.
Thankfully, we are now at the recovery stage of the coronavirus pandemic, described as the worst health crisis to confront the human race in recent times. We are also thankful that the government has handled the crisis reasonably well.
However, it will take quite a while for the economy to recover. This is not only a Malaysian problem but a global one. Meantime, Malaysians will just have to be patient and do their utmost to adjust to the new normal.
Many businesses have shuttered or scaled down, resulting in many losing their jobs and livelihood. The government must continue to help these suffering Malaysians. It is their responsibility to do so.
Of prime concern now is the messy political situation that we are in. The question before us is: Will calling a snap election resolve the political stalemate?
Some do not think so and their concerns are valid.
One, the political parties are so fragmented that no single party or coalition is likely to win an absolute majority. Hence, we will see the same weak government, ruling by a wafer-thin majority. That is possible.
The second worry expressed was the wastage of public funds for a general election. According to the Election Commission, the 14th General Election in 2018 cost RM750 million. Can we afford another RM750 million for yet another election, just two years or so later? Again, this is also a valid concern.
Personally, I advocate fresh polls because I feel it is the only way to restore the sanctity of parliamentary democracy and uphold the sacred constitution that brought about this nation 57 years ago.
Since Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin became prime minister on March 1 with his new Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, he did not have it easy.
While Covid-19 has offered a reprieve, politicking continued unabated up to this day. With talk that leaders of the ousted Pakatan Harapan (PH) government are now planning a counter-coup, it is understandable for Muhyiddin to get jittery.
Over the past one week, leaders of PH Plus have been meeting to
discuss their comeback plans. Enticing crossovers of legislators from both sides has accelerated.
I don’t think playing the numbers game is healthy politics. It is not the answer in the long term to resolving the political impasse.
It is clear that the Muhyiddin administration lacks the support of the majority of Malaysians. Worse, its legitimacy is also in doubt.
The prime minister himself has acknowledged this, stating that “although this is not the government you voted for, we still care for you” in early April when he announced his first Covid-19 welfare package.
Last week, it became clear that Muhyiddin is looking to seek a mandate of his own and is seriously considering holding snap polls by year-end after tabling Budget 2021.
This was confirmed by PPBM supreme council member Muhammad Faiz Na’aman who said that his party president had expressed wishes to hold snap polls at a council meeting on June 4.
“During the meeting, Muhyiddin said once things become stable, he wishes to hold snap polls as soon as possible.
“We don’t want to be accused of not having the people’s mandate.
“His wish is for snap elections as soon as there is stability in the
country and the party,” Faiz told a news portal.
When the snap election is held, it will be a titanic clash between PN and PH for the first time. We can expect the results to be close, a
victory with the narrowest of margin.
Whether PH Plus has learned its lesson from its collapse in February will then be laid bare. The uneasy distrustful leadership contestation was decisive in leading to its collapse three months ago.
Going to the polls seems to be the only acceptable solution too for those who refuse or are unable to accept the legitimacy of the PN
government.
It is right to demand fresh polls as only a mandate from the people can give legitimacy and integrity to a government. This is what parliamentary democracy is all about.
A counter-coup involving backroom dealings, scheming and plotting by power-crazy and self-serving politicians can never be accepted by all who respect the constitution of the land.
We have witnessed it once. Do not let it happen twice.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
