KUCHING, Nov 23: A Sarawak activist is calling on the Borneo bloc of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to support the formation of a minority government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim at its head.
With no party or coalition able to command a simple majority, Peter John Jaban believed that this model, commonly practised throughout the world in similar circumstances, would not only allow progress from the current stalemate, but would also honour the spirit of the election result and create the context for good governance and intra-party cooperation going forwards.
“Our Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as has been rightly pointed out by numerous commentators, ‘shall first appoint as Prime Minister to preside over the Cabinet, a member of the House of Representatives who in his judgement is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House’.
“This is enshrined in Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution. Every election is a coming together of competing forces on a single day. In the case of GE15 (the 15th General Election), there has been no clear majority and no coalition seems able to both serve the wishes of the people and produce that majority.
“The only solution, therefore, is to determine this on the floor of the House,” said Peter John in a press statement today.
He pointed out minority governments are an established parliamentary system when no clear majority has been achieved. Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Spain — all these among others have had minority governments.
Minority governments mean elected representatives have to work harder to produce and pass legislation that works for all parties. Each bill must be negotiated on the floor and so minority interests can be catered for.
“This is a good reflection of the diversity of opinion currently seen in Malaysia in this election and a model for good governance. The people can observe how each party responds to each bill and then make informed choices at the ballot box. Parties that seek to merely disrupt proceedings for their own political benefit will be punished by the electorate at the next election,” Peter John added.
He opined that since PH has achieved the largest number of seats, its leader is the only possible choice for Prime Minister. But the latter and his appointed cabinet will need to work hard to persuade the competing forces in Parliament to support him, bill by bill.
Peter John sees this as only good for the people of Malaysia at this time as it will allow progress from the current political stalemate to settle the markets and to move the business of government forward for the good of the people. It can allow for plurality in policy. In essence, a minority government can be a unity government.
He speculated that GPS have found themselves deeply divided over their potential coalition partners.
“The Islamic fundamentalism of PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) and the insulting stance of its leader towards both the Christian and indigenous populations is a horrifying prospect to the majority of Sarawakians.
“BN (Barisan Nasional) find themselves in the same situation. Let them debate on the issues on the floor in a minority government instead of focusing on the personality politics required to obtain a majority with backroom deals and horse-trading.
“Therefore, I call on Abang Jo (GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) to accept a new model and a new Prime Minister and to use this as a springboard to negotiate something new for both Sarawak and Malaysia,” said Peter John. — DayakDaily
