KUALA LUMPUR – Politicians influencing royals are nothing new, and in the midst of an unprecedented political and health crisis, those with vested interests have once again surfaced – this time, to push for a unity government.
All eyes are on Istana Negara, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Malay rulers are scheduled to meet in a few minutes to decide on the government’s call for emergency rule.
This comes amid growing pressure on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, with Budget 2021 on the line and the possibility of a motion of no confidence against him being tabled at the Parliament sitting that begins on November 2.
Talk of a unity government being formed has been bandied, both on and offline, and sources said this will be among the points of discussion at today’s meeting.
Unsurprisingly, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is said to be among those backing the move.
Working closely with his trusted lieutenant, Tun Daim Zainuddin, the pair are believed to have engineered the idea, and is using Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s royal links to get the palace on board.
This appears to explain speculation on a recent meeting between Tengku Razaleigh and Dr Mahathir.
The Gua Musang lawmaker, despite not being a political party head, was also the only other MP to have met the Agong following an audience granted to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on October 13, with the palace subsequently postponing all other scheduled meetings with party leaders.
If a unity government does indeed materialise, Dr Mahathir could once again be part of the ruling coalition, and subject to agreement with allies, be given certain positions.
However, the big question is whether such a government is actually feasible.
While not exactly a unity government by name, the cooperation between Dr Mahathir and Anwar under the Pakatan Harapan banner ahead of the 14th general election is similar to the current proposal.
The duo are known to not see eye to eye, but they put aside their political differences for the common goal of toppling the Datuk Seri Najib Razak-led Barisan Nasional government.
From then on, it was downhill for Dr Mahathir and Anwar – and PH, for that matter.
The promised transition of power to the PKR president after two years did not happen, and the infighting among PH components eventually led to the coalition’s fall.
The learned rulers will of course take this into consideration before arriving at any decision.
Manipulating the royal institution for selfish ends is the last thing politicians should do. – The Vibes, October 25, 2020
