By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, June 13: Calling for a snap general election (GE) will not be a surprise but it will not solve the current political imbroglio that is plaguing the country, said Prof Dr Jayum Jawan of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia.
He pointed out that the speculation of an impending snap GE could be just a political strategy of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to divert a political crisis.
“This is of course assuming he survives the attempt to bring him down that has been the work of his opponents,” Jayum told DayakDaily when contacted today.
He stated that even if a snap GE was called, it would not solve the political crisis facing the country.
“It will not solve the current political crisis in Malaysia because I don’t see any political party or coalition of political parties that could possibly win by a clear majority to end this political uncertainty,” he said.
Jayum was commenting on a report in Singapore’s Straits Times that Muhyiddin has instructed his party to be ready for a snap GE which could be held by the end of the year.
On the other hand, he opined that the current political setting which sees a minority party like Bersatu under Muhyiddin ruling the country after the fall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government in February, could still be able to continue and function.
“The government can still be appointed from among the party or coalition of parties that won the largest number of seats. And then, given time to build up a winning coalition like what had happened in the UK and other countries,” he said..
However, he said that if a snap GE was inevitable that could result in a slim majority, that would also be a good thing for Malaysia as the government would be made up of elected representatives from all the ethnic groups in the country.
“The complexity of Malaysia’s politics have arrived and should be welcomed to reflect the true colour of Malaysia’s plural society.
“I think this is good so that no one ethnic group dominates, and that the best government for Malaysia is a government built from the support of all segments of society, especially Malays, Chinese, Indians, Dayaks, Kadazandusuns, Muruts and Bajaus,” he emphasised.
Jayum reiterated that a multi-racial and multi-ethnic composition of federal leaders would be an ideal case as envisioned by the founding fathers of Malaysia.
“That should be the case as it was in the beginning of Malaysia, but later, the emergence of strong leadership and personality undermined that and pave the way for one group to dominate and dictate to other smaller ethnic groups,” added Jayum. —DayakDaily.
