KUALA LUMPUR: Experts believe that the idea of a unity government, where only the most qualified individuals from the country’s political parties will be appointed to the cabinet, will be welcomed by the majority of Malaysians.
However, they said such ideals may be scuppered by the politicians themselves.
Geostrategist Azmi Hassan believes that the people could accept such a composition despite its members being from possibly rival parties.
He, however, cautioned that it would be an uphill task,
“It is a good idea for the betterment of the country, but the implementation will be difficult.
“I don’t think that our 222 Dewan Rakyat members are ready for this kind of government, where members of Umno, Pas, DAP, PKR, Warisan, GPS and Amanah come together to administer the country,” he told the New Straits Times.
Azmi said that while Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had refused to work with Umno, unless its party members quit and join other parties, Umno and Pas had repeatedly stressed that they would not work with DAP.
“Realistically, the chances are slim that this will happen.”
He was also asked on the possibility of appointing experts or professionals instead of politicians to the cabinet.
“However, going by the Constitution, any minister must be a member of parliament or an elected senator.
“If Dr Mahathir decides to appoint experts who are not Dewan Rakyat members, then the experts or professionals need to be elected as senators first.”
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid raised doubts about the feasibility of a unity government.
“For example, can a person appointed by the PM function independently without obeying his or her party chief?
“As we know, MPs are elected based on their membership of a party. It would depend on whether party leaders are willing to allow their most capable members to become part of this unity government.”
Fauzi said unity governments were usually formed in crises or emergencies such as war. As it is a temporary arrangement, this format did not last long, he added.
“Political parties are formed based on differences in ideologies and interests and when these parties join together, it becomes a coalition government.”
On the possibility of non-politicians being appointed to the cabinet, Fauzi said the idea would not be feasible in the long term.
“These individuals would have to be sworn in as senators. But senators are not elected by the people.
“Hence they don’t have the people’s mandate to govern them. If the majority of ministers and deputy ministers are senators, we would have an undemocratic government.
“Whatever is decided in the corridors of power is not subject to scrutiny in the Dewan Rakyat. Just the Dewan Negara is not enough.”
Asked on what would be the best way forward, Fauzi said it would be for Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to dissolve Parliament for a snap election. “Nobody has a simple majority. There are several blocs. Hence, one of the reasonable ways is a snap election.”
He said the idea of a snap election should not be dismissed and should not be regarded as “dishonourable” as it is a practice in a democracy.