IN an obvious last throw of the proverbial dice, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has offered a promise to reform the politics of the country, which some have described as a blatant attempt of corruption, and others suggest is too little, too late.
It is, of course, and act of desperation trying to plug leaks in Perikatan Nasional’s lifeboat, even as it is being pummelled by waves in the wake of political opportunism.
Yet, being the glass-half-full person that I am, I see the raft of promises to be the best opportunity for significant parliamentary and constitutional reforms since the birth of this nation, even if eked out of desperation.
The promises may be from a suitor wooing a scorned ex, but on the surface, it looks like an opportunity that should be grabbed. However, real politics will suggest otherwise. It is politics über alles.
The prime minister will be left twisting in the wind with his generous offers, and needs to do the honourable thing and leave, it is widely speculated.
However, as an exercise in “what-if-ism”, let us look at what our elected officials are likely to be saying no to.
For a start, Muhyiddin has been calling for support for constitutional reforms that include a two-term limit for the prime minister and an anti-hopping law – which is the scourge of our political well-being. Now, who wouldn’t want an anti-hopping law? Well, politicians for a start.
The prime minister proposed equal representation of government and opposition MPs in select committees, which oversee some functions of the government and Parliament, as well as bipartisan discussions of budgets ahead of their tabling.
He also proposed to immediately lower the voting age to 18, hence, enfranchising over seven million new voters, and to hold the 15th general election by July next year, at the latest.
As a sweetener, the opposition leader will have the facilities and resources that are on par with that of a senior minister. As for Covid-19, all MPs will have equal allocations to deal with the pandemic – almost doubling the budget ceiling to RM110 billion.
After all these, one cannot help but break into “Apa lagi lu mau?”
Well, obviously, for many MPs, it is for the prime minister to resign. Hence why Muhyiddin had the offer made public on television to get his message straight to the people without the filters of politicians. I am not sure if it fell on deaf ears, but the support is wanting.
Interestingly, it has been reported that two right-hand men of the DAP boss were involved in the drafting of the proposals. If indeed true, it was a brave and novel attempt for bipartisanship, but sadly the train has left the station.
With politicians and those heavily invested in politics deeply entrenched in their positions, and the grassroots soaked in identity politics – dominant Malay parties have a “No DAP” policy, and DAP has a “No Umno” rule – the idea of bipartisanship was a non-starter to begin with.
The prime minister, by virtue of how he came into power, is a common enemy who stands in the way of all major factions that have tasted power – Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan – to reclaim Putrajaya.
I believe Tony Pua and Ong Kian Ming – if the reports of them working with PN are to be believed – were setting off trial balloons, checking if the idea of working with Muhyiddin can fly. They suggested an opportunity to be back in government and part of the effort for national reform, and, at the same time, the piece of red meat for DAPsters to prevent a very real possibility of Umno taking over the government.
However, they were rather abruptly shot down – both by party machineries and the loud voices on social media. The final nail came when the PH presidential council, which has a plan of its own on the premiership, said “No”.
I believe, even with all the promise of bipartisanship, PH et alia will not like to give legitimacy to Muhyiddin and PN by working with them. Also, there is a risk that things may work out and by the time the polls come, and Covid-19 hopefully under control, the people may have second thoughts about changing.
This is, of course, my half-baked punditry talking.
Yet, if our elected representatives are true to their words when on the stump husting for our votes, they should readily consider Muhyiddin’s olive branch.
However, as much as I try to rise above my cynicism and give a discount to political desperation and opportunism, I still cannot see enough evidence that the noises we have been, and are, hearing have evolved beyond the conquest for Putrajaya.
Post-racial riots of 1969, BN was formed by getting many whom were on the opposite ends of the political divide to identify common interests and work together after what was a defining, dark moment in the young country.
I thought we have such a moment in the form of the pandemic, which is causing yet untold health, economic and social upheavals. However, it is obvious that the political divide runs very deep, and many lines have been drawn in the sand. Having painted their opponents as ogres and demons, it has been rather hard trying to walk back the narratives.
Hence, we are likely to lose a great opportunity for a meaningful reform. I don’t believe the next government will have the interest nor opportunity nor ability to carry out such major reforms.
Soon, we may see one backdoor government replaced by another, even with some party-hopping. All ethical breaches or compromised righteousness will be justified by the fact that it is our guys doing it. Rather Machiavellian, yes.
This may turn out to be the “what if” moment in the nation’s history. – The Vibes, August 15, 2021
Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohammed Isa is a veteran newsman with more than 35 years in the business. He is executive director of operations at PETRA News
