Coalition govt should be formed via party-to-party negotiations, not SDs – Bersih

THE Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) takes exception to the call of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun for party leaders to submit statutory declarations (SDs) of their MPs who are willing to give support to a prime minister candidate to form the new government. 

The speaker should know that the use of SDs for the formation of the government has been proven to be a failure, again and again, contributing to much instability over the years.

A parliamentary government is a government based on a common governance programme, not a bunch of individual MPs supporting a common prime minister candidate, whether or not in exchange for positions.

It is unreasonable that party leaders are rushed into deals before all their MPs have the chance to deliberate and be heard. No timeline should be set for this important process.

The most important goal in this process is to ensure that a sustainable and stable government can be formed and this can only be achieved through a carefully negotiated agreement between the parties and it should not be hastily rushed through using SDs.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding for Political Stability and Transformation in Parliament by the Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in September 2021 that restored political stability should be emulated in the current situation and enough time should be given to all parties. 

It is better to be slow and steady in establishing a stable government than to rush and risk sending our nation into endless political machinations the next few years.

Malaysia badly needs a functioning government to prevail over the triple crises of economy, environment and endemic, not plagued by intense infighting between government partners. 

All quarters should always act prudently and responsibly to protect our parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. – The Vibes, November 21, 2022

Bersih is a non-governmental coalition campaigning for free and fair elections in Malaysia