THESE next two days, eyes are once again on our monarchs as the future of the country – at least in these next two years – is put in the hands of our king.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will once again be dragged into the political skirmish.
His Majesty had, time and again, through numerous statements called on our leaders to prioritise battling the Covid-19 pandemic and put the people’s welfare ahead of politics.
He also reiterated the need to abide by the principles of parliamentary democracy.
Yesterday, the king, along with his deputy Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak, met leaders from Umno, DAP, PKR, Bersatu, PAS, Amanah, Warisan and Pejuang at the palace. Their Majesties also met leaders of the parties that make up Gabungan Parti Sarawak via videoconference.
The king read them the “Riot Act” by emphasising that the appointment of a new prime minister must abide by the federal constitution; that the people cannot be further burdened by political instability in the wake of the pandemic; and, all MPs must show solidarity in battling the pandemic, which has seen frontliners stretched and exhausted.
Their Majesties reminded them that political instability has gravely impacted the progress in battling Covid-19 and affected the economy.
They expressed their wish for MPs to come together for the good of the country.
Their Majesties also expressed their desire that the MP who eventually wins the vote to become the next prime minister be a unifier, someone who offers an olive branch and bridges the divide so that the present challenges can be faced together.
This statement followed another issued on August 16, after the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the eighth prime minister, where the king once again called for unity and solidarity, which the country desperately needs.
Today, the king is once again meeting MPs – 114 of them said to back Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob of Umno as prime minister.
One can imagine the dilemma His Majesty is facing, especially if the numbers are not an absolute majority.
This could result in yet another period of political uncertainty, which is why the king still wants the victor to prove his support in a confidence vote in Parliament on September 9.
This, however, may not bring about the desired results, and a confidence vote could see another impasse.
So, what would a constitutional monarch do?
The constitution is vague about backdoor governments and the theft of elections.
Its sole focus is on the distribution of seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
However, where the constitution is silent on a remedy, the monarchy can lend its voice.
And, the king can listen to and draw inspiration from His Majesty’s subjects.
The results of the 14th general election were loud and clear: not Umno.
Hence, could anyone expect His Majesty to choose an MP from a party that was rejected by a majority of Malaysians?
As His Majesty is seeking a unity government that is acceptable to most Malaysians, perhaps the king will be moved to restore the original mandate given by the people in 2018.
If one remembers, the opposition towards Umno was overwhelming.
The hashtags #undirabu and #pulangmengundi became popular clarion calls. Malaysians abroad came home in droves to cast their votes. Many even thronged airports to ask those returning to Malaysia to take their ballots with them.
The wishes, efforts and resolve of the Malaysian people must mean for something.
Granted, Pakatan Harapan was a multi-tiered administration by a motley crew of strange bedfellows led by a prime minister whose intentions were suspect.
But now, as we have witnessed, so was Perikatan Nasional.
Muhyiddin’s first six months of fighting the pandemic were successful; in June last year, we even recorded zero new infections.
However, politics got in the way of science and good sense, and despite the objections of medical experts and our own health director-general, the Sabah election proceeded in September.
This sealed the fate of our battle against Covid-19, and today, over 13,000 people have lost their lives. In comparison, 60,000 civilians died in World War II.
This does not include those who had taken their own lives, which, on record, stand at 1,099 cases since the pandemic began.
To compound matters, Muhyiddin, backed by his cabinet, defied the Agong’s orders to debate the pandemic and National Recovery Plan in Parliament. Despite the king reluctantly consenting to an emergency, the situation became worse.
The burden on the king’s shoulders is enormous. That he has to call upon his brother rulers for a conference tomorrow is an indication that this king is not putting anything down to chance.
Can an Umno or Bersatu prime minister bridge the divide and heal the nation, when it was the conspiracy between players in these parties that brought the entire country into chaos just 17 months ago?
His Majesty emphasised the need for a prime minister who is capable of managing the pandemic and repairing the broken economy. PN has demonstrated that it has failed.
If PN is picked yet again, would it not be a case of making the same mistake twice, but expecting a different outcome this time? – The Vibes, August 19, 2021
