A NON-PARTISAN government will not necessarily end politicking as the individual parties will still be driven by the own ideologies and aspirations, said analysts.

These will certainly affect their vote on bills in parliament, they said.

Unlike Pakatan Harapan and its predecessor, Barisan Nasional, both of which were bound by their manifestos, how would a non-partisan government run the country?

Such an arrangement could also erase the opposition, leaving the government free of all checks and balances.

Political analyst Associate Prof Jeniri Amir said a unity government looked good on paper but was not a solution to what ails the country.

“It is very important to have checks and balances in a democratic system to prevent abuse of power.  It is not in tandem with the aspirations of the people and the mandate given by the voters in the last election,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said such a non-partisan government could also be a short-term measure to fulfil the wishes of certain factions or individuals.

Jeniri noted there is no guarantee that politicking will not arise as the various parties and individuals will have different aims and ambitions.

He said the biggest plus of a non-partisan government is that it could pave the way for the appointment of non-politicians such as academics or legal experts to government.

He added that the prime minister will also be able to pick the best candidate for his cabinet.

Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng said the challenge lies in the partisanship nature of Malaysian politics.

“A non-partisan govt is practically very challenging but if it works it can help the administration to focus on national issues, make decisions based on national interest and function above partisan interest or biases,” he said

On the voting of bills and motions in parliament, Khoo said the representatives would be free to make individual decisions instead of along party lines so that the focus will be on the merit of the bills.

University Malaya’s Prof Madya Dr Awang Azman Awang said the concept of a unity government is not impossible.

He said MPs of a unity government will be allowed to vote for bills and motions in Parliament regardless of party lines and this could make for better legislation.

“The votes will depend on the strength of the motion,” he said.

He said the prime minister could choose the members he deems fittest for his cabinet.

“Young MPs who are qualified and talented can be appointed ministers,” he said.

“At the same time it is not necessary for the more senior MP’s to be appointed to the cabinet if they lack the qualification and potential,” he added.

Interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday asked to be allowed to form an apolitical government to serve the people.

The Langkawi MP said he was of the view that politics and party politics should be set aside in the current trying times.

“If allowed, I will try and form a government that does not side with any party. Only the country’s interest will be given priority.

“I will do this if I am allowed,” he said in a special televised address yesterday.

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy said consensus, and not the decision of one man, was needed to form a new model of governance .

“A new political model of non-political affiliation as the basis of a government might not have practical utility; in fact it might create problems rather than solving them,’ he said in a statement today.

Dr Mahathir must not take PH’s rejection of his suggestion for a non-political model of governance personally, he said.

“The rejection not just from PH but from others was reflective of the larger political, economic and social interests that have to be addressed. 

“It is hardly the time to introduce political innovations when the promises made to the rakyat have not been fulfilled,” he said in the statement. – February 27, 2020.