AZMAN Ahmad doesn’t like Pakatan Harapan because he thinks the “anti-Islam” DAP is pulling the strings.

But even the Selangor-based businessman does not agree that PH should be unceremoniously taken down by a “back-door” government, which comes to power through behind-the-scene plots.

“The best way is not by hijacking people’s votes through the back door. It should be through negotiations with the Agong,” the 43-year-old told The Malaysian Insight.

“But the best way is by dissolving Parliament and calling for fresh elections,” said Azman.

The call to hold fresh elections was echoed by almost all the 11 individuals The Malaysian Insight spoke to in the Klang Valley, Penang and Sarawak to get their take on the downfall of the PH government.

The administration collapsed after component party Bersatu and 11 lawmakers from PKR left the coalition yesterday.

Of the 11 voters The Malaysian Insight spoke to, only Ammar Zainal Abidin of Permatang Pauh, Penang, said he supported the change of government.

“The change through the back door looks unfair to certain people. But for a Malay like me, it is an advantage and I like it,” said the private sector worker.

His fellow Penangnites, however, expressed their disdain for those attempting to form a back-door government.

“It feels as if I wasted my time coming back to Penang to vote in 2018 of having to sit through hours of traffic congestion just to vote for change,” said Safwana Afiqah Mahmood, 27, of Bukit Minyak.

“I will never support a back-door government no matter from which party. If you want to form a government, hold another election.”

Andrew 33, of Bukit Mertajam never imagined he would see opposition parties Umno and PAS in the next federal government.

“If you want to change the government, do a general election. This cannot be accepted by the people.”

Sarawakians Richard Spencer John, Phillip Tero and Joseph Ramanair also called for fresh elections to resolve the impasse.

“To change the government in this way, to defy the wishes of a people who refused to be ruled by the previous regime is nothing but an abuse of the law and a mere exploitation of numbers that is against the spirit of the constitution,” said John.

“The proper thing to do would be to call for an election. In this way, the nation can determine for itself who should govern it.”

In Selangor, M. Pritha is upset that the political mandate of the first vote she had cast will not be carried out.

“I disagree with by-passing the election method and creating a backdoor government. Should that be the case, I would be absolutely disappointed that my first vote turned out this way.”

Although a back-door government is legal, it would have no moral standing, said Yap Kian Wei.

“Forming back-door government is morally wrong because mandate was given to PH,” said the 37-year-old in Kuala Lumpur. – February 25, 2020.