PROPORTIONAL representation (PR) is a fairer electoral system for all parties, including the opposition, to compete in the next general election, electoral reform expert Wong Chin Huat said today.

The PR system can also incentivise right-wing parties such as Umno and PAS to become more moderate as the system could force them into a coalition government, the Sunway University political scientist told a forum today.

“If the government is looking to electoral reforms they should adopt the PR system instead of keeping the current first-past-the-post (FPTP) system.

“The PR system is like buying insurance. Because when you win, you don’t win everything but when you lose, you will (still) have something left (unless you go all the way to the bottom) and there’s a good chance you still get invited to the government as long as you’re not too extreme,” said Wong who is also a member of Putrajaya’s Electoral Reform Committee (ERC).

The forum at Sunway University in Subang Jaya today looked at whether electoral systems could encourage moderate politics.

Wong said problems with representation under FPTP or the “winner takes all” system have become more stark than ever after GE14. Under this system, those who voted for the losing candidate do not get represented at all.

Wong said “institutional solutions” were the way to move Malaysia away from racialised elections and give more “incentives for parties to be moderate”.

“The opposition now sees no reason for them to be moderate… Most politicians and political parties respond to incentives put forward to them. So what Umno-PAS is doing with its ethno-religious rhetoric is very rational from their party’s standpoint in the short-run, although it is not very good for the country.

“So you need to change the incentive structure. So talking about the proportional representation system is to avoid the parties from becoming so extreme before they can win.

“It is the best way to provide enough opportunity for all parties, including Umno and PAS to compete in the centre.”

Wong proposed Germany’s mixed member proportional (MMP) system as it gives voters two ballots – one for the constituency and another for a political party.

“You keep your FPTP and you have the party list. FPTP will allow the existing party to retain their coalition but the party list allows them to compete. In most cases, probably the coalition still forms a single-party government but in other cases they will have to form a coalition after the election.”

Although, Pakatan Harapan won with the FPTP system, the same model has also given Umno and PAS incentive to band together.

Wong said that as a result, Umno and PAS would not want to back a PR system if they believe they can gain more ground under FPTP by taking hard-line positions on race and religious issues.

However, he said, the two Malay-Muslim parties should consider a PR system that offered more safety when the outcome is uncertain.

“In gambling there can only be one winner. Everyone else will lose. When things are uncertain, it is safer for everyone to buy insurance, so that everyone gets protected. You cannot maximise your gains but you will be protected. That’s my solution.”

Wong said it was only right of the government to look for a fair electoral system for all parties.

The ERC is currently working on reforms to various aspects of Malaysia’s election procedures and electoral system. ERC chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman has said that 16 components are under review and recommendations will be made to the government next year.

Suggestions for Germany’s MMP model of proportional representation have been proposed before, by former Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah, prior to the general election last year. – May 29, 2019.