Any New Govt Will Fail If There S No Ceasefire Says Analyst

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Political scientist Wong Chin Huat says key decisions should be made through an empowered Parliament. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Any new government formed to take over the management of the pandemic will fail without a political ceasefire to ensure stability, according to an analyst.
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat questioned the viability of a temporary unity government and said it would be better for warring political parties to come to a settlement even under the leadership of the Perikatan Nasional administration.
“I don’t think the current ministers will surrender power without sabotaging the next government,” Wong told FMT. “I would rather give them their salaries but have their power curbed by subjecting them to parliamentary control.
“Without a ceasefire deal, a new government would come under fire and quickly fail.”
Wong Chin Huat.Asked if he thought Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should resign and be replaced for his government’s alleged failure to manage the pandemic, he said it was more important for Parliament to be strengthened.
“It depends on how good and long-lasting the next prime minister can be. If it is a competition to be short-lived prime ministers, I would prefer that Muhyiddin stay but have key decisions made through an empowered Parliament.
“I don’t believe that the solution to Malaysian politics is another superman, whether a nonagenarian, octogenarian, septuagenarian or a young punk.
“Give me a structure. We can then talk about solutions.”
Wong was commenting on a proposal by former law minister Zaid Ibrahim for Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to be made interim prime minister until the pandemic subsides and a general election can be held.
The proposal came yesterday as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was meeting Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Mohamad Sabu.
Awang Azman Pawi.The King is expected to meet other political leaders over the next few days before convening a special meeting of the Malay rulers to discuss efforts to contain the pandemic. The meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Another analyst, Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya, said Parliament needed to reconvene so that pressing issues such as the vaccination programme and economic recovery could be discussed.
Azmi Hassan.On the question of whether Malaysia needed an interim or new prime minister, he said: “It is up to the King to consider the various aspects at play before making a decision.”
Azmi Hassan, formerly of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said Malaysia lacked a figure like Italy’s Mario Draghi, who was capable of drawing the support of both sides of the political divide in leading his country.
“I don’t think Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh) can gain 100% support even from his own party. That’s how fractious our political situation is right now,” he said. - FMT

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