KUALA LUMPUR – The current political landscape is likely to necessitate a post-election alliance of different coalitions and parties, said Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who asserted that parties will have to be pragmatic about forming alliances to move Malaysia forward.
In an interview with The Vibes, the DAP secretary-general claimed that the days of a single coalition government, a model long adopted by Barisan Nasional (BN) prior to its collapse in May 2018, are now gone.
With this realisation, he said the coming together of different parties after the national polls cannot be ruled out, while predicting that the general election would take place sometime next year.
“Even BN is not confident they can form a government on their own... If you ask today if Umno or BN have a fixed formula to regain their strength, I don’t think so. So do us (Pakatan Harapan). I think we are still searching,” he said in a recent podcast session.
Loke said that while Pakatan Harapan (PH) was able to temporarily form a similar single coalition government before it collapsed in February 2020, the multi-coalition system is now here to stay.
However, he discounted the possibility of parties forming pre-election alliances due to respective considerations and posturing, and said this is more likely to take place after the conclusion of the polls.
“I think the scenario will be post-election, depending on what kind of strengths each coalition has. But whether or not it will happen will be based on the wisdom of the leadership of each coalition.
“This is something you have to be level-headed, pragmatic and realistic about, on how to move the government forward.
“I don’t think horse-trading or negotiation will take place before the election. Depending on the outcome of the polls, then I think parties and coalitions will have to think rationally about what is the way forward for the country.”
Loke’s remarks come amid intense debate from both sides of the political aisle over forming alliances beyond their own coalitions.
Opinion on the matter is divided within PH, with some being proponents of the idea, while others like newly elected PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli are in strong opposition.
Loke, who is former transport minister, said any government formed must be reflective and representative of the multiracial composition of Malaysia.
He also believes any cooperation must clearly spell out the agenda and policies moving forward, but said the idea of this happening is not far-fetched, seeing how a somewhat similar agreement has already been signed between PH and the current government.
“To a certain extent, the signing of the memorandum of understanding has opened up some possibilities, which people never thought of before. We were, of course, criticised by some, but until today I will still defend it as the right thing to do.
“We have not sacrificed any of our principles, we know what we want to achieve. The anti-hopping law, for example, would not be possible without some form of understanding between the government and opposition.
“I think Malaysians at large have to look at that. It’s not a zero-sum game. As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has decreed, Malaysian politics cannot be a case of winner takes all, and losers lose all. There must be some sort of compromise and understanding moving forward.”
Window for election this year likely closed
Commenting on the looming general election, Loke said he believes it will not take place this year, claiming the window of opportunity for Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government to call polls in 2022 is very limited.
The Seremban MP said it is unlikely for the government to dissolve Parliament before the tabling of the national budget at the end of October, as it would have no political advantage.
The soaring inflation and new increased overnight policy rate announced by Bank Negara Malaysia also rule out an election in the next couple of months, he added.
“The year-end period is also very limited. I don’t think it is feasible as far as flood risks are concerned.”
Instead, Loke predicted Malaysians heading to the polls between February and March next year, which is after Chinese New Year and before Ramadan, or following the Hari Raya festive period in May.
Regardless, he said DAP members have been told to prepare for any eventualities.
“We have to be prepared. There is no such thing as being fully ready, but we just have to be prepared. Some physical preparation has already started, but you never know when (the election will be called).”
Several Umno top leaders, including its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, have been pushing for an early election, although Ismail Sabri appears reluctant to dissolve Parliament amid the rising cost of living and uncertainty over his own position. – The Vibes, July 17, 2022
Tune into the full episode of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Ep 9 here
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