Dr Mahathir, the kingmaker

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 4 years ago · Published on 25 Feb 2020 1:25PM · 5 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad arriving at the Prime Minister's Department today. With neither side having a clear majority in Dewan Rakyat in the ongoing political turmoil, the interim prime minister holds the key to deciding who will form the next government. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 25, 2020.

IT’S unprecedented.

Not only does Dr Mahathir Mohamad have the chance to be prime minister for a third time, he may very well have the support of all 222 lawmakers, too.

Why? Because nobody has enough numbers to form a government and nominate a prime minister among them.

On the Pakatan Harapan side, PKR (39), DAP (42) and Amanah (11) have 92 MPs, 20 short of the 112 needed to form government.

On the other side, Mohamed Azmin Ali has 11 MPs (including himself) sacked from PKR yesterday, and alongside Bersatu (26), Umno (42) and PAS (18) have a total of 97, needing 15 more MPs for a simple majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

On the Borneo side, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Parti Warisan Sabah have 18 and nine respectively, with the rest being Upko (1), Gabungan Parti Sabah (3), Parti Sarawak (1) and one independent.

The easy answer would be for PH and Team Azmin to reach out to GPS and Warisan to form government. But this is where it’s stuck.

GPS will not work with DAP or PAS, and hence will have a problem with both sides, while Warisan won’t work with PAS.

Even if PH can convince Warisan to its side, it’s still short of 11. 

For Team Azmin, it is similarly stuck as it can’t get GPS or Warisan because both have refused to work with PAS.

The only key left to the puzzle then is Dr Mahathir.

After all the fighting, he is the only person that all sides can accept as the viable choice to lead a new government, even if it’s a minority government.

And he has rejected working with everyone from Umno due to their corrupt practices.

Everyone believes Borneo lawmakers are the kingmakers. But it is Dr Mahathir who is the kingmaker now. – February 25, 2020.

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Comments

  • Well said

    Posted 4 years ago by Tj Gill · Reply

  • Tun should pick the best MPs not along party lines to lead a minority, nonpartisan government and cabinet to push and complete reforms up to GE15 when elections will put parties to a common battle after sweeping reforms completed. MPs who are credible are handpicked across the dewan rakyat to lead a unity govt in transition, hence, party loyalty is not in play. That would
    1. leave Tun with a legacy tht lasts
    2. complete the reforms needed for a stable country in 2023 for GE15
    3. A group of qualified and able MPs as ministers who will deliver the results
    4. Govt does not play politics to reform the country with Ministers/MPs across the political spectrum
    5. Rakyat will see the reforms done as those entrusted are truly selected to their capabilities and do not serve along their party lines but instead to parliament and agong as part of a unity government

    That could be the game-changer the interim PM could adopt in light of no clear solution of a majority government

    Posted 4 years ago by Kahlil Anwar Kamal · Reply

    • Thats the ideals.. God helps us

      Posted 4 years ago by Jon Lang · Reply

  • This is will not be PH govt or Muafakat Govt..this will be a Mahathir govt....a very graceful coup has been executed on the elected govt..this govt is not have a manifesto..this govt will do the bidding of its creator..this will not be an elected govt but a govt of elected representatives..It will be Big Brother's Government

    Posted 4 years ago by Julian Nagelsmann · Reply

  • Yes, only d BEST man/woman - of integrity & God-fearing, to bring Malaysia to its BEST! My earnest prayer for our beloved Malaysia

    Posted 4 years ago by BH Lim · Reply