The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) said months of political uncertainty had resulted in increasing fragmentation and instability in both the government and opposition.
“The recent budget session has proven that the prime minister only has a majority of three MPs, which indicates a fragile government prone to defections.
“Meanwhile, the opposition’s failure to unite and Anwar’s constant efforts to secure the numbers needed to gain the premiership have left little room for genuine reforms to be proposed by them,” said its manager of the democracy and governance unit, Aira Azhari.
She urged them to shift their focus to policy-driven solutions to solve Malaysia’s problems and to form a functioning shadow Cabinet in order for the opposition to function effectively, unlike now.
In addition, Aira said the opposition should constantly develop policy ideas to tackle unemployment, rejuvenate the economy, enhance good governance and control Covid-19.
“This year is the first in many years that Pakatan Harapan, as the opposition, did not present a shadow budget.
“Only when the opposition proposes concrete policy ideas that uplift the well-being of the rakyat will they start gaining back the public’s trust,” she added.
Aira admitted that divisions were a character of multiparty democracies, but felt opposition credibility would be truly tested when it is productive, policy-driven and provides solutions for the people.
“The opposition itself is an important institution that provides checks and balances to government decisions, and it is more important than ever for them to play that role now.”
She said the government’s slim majority needed to be tested through a general election in the long run, adding that as Covid-19 cases continued to soar, focus must also be on ways in which elections could be conducted safely and in accordance with SOPs.
“The eventuality of a general election is a strong signal for the election commission and all stakeholders to prepare for voting during a pandemic, as has been done in many other democracies.
“The government’s razor-thin majority will only prolong the instability we currently face. Thus, the mandate should be returned to the people to decide their next government,” she said.
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