PERIKATAN Nasional and Pakatan Harapan should look into a multi-party deal to end the constant plotting to remain in power, said civil society groups tired of the politicking.

Bersih 2.0, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia and Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia are concerned about the crossovers of MPs on both sides. 

They are appealing to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is mounting moves to oust the former, and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, to end the political impasse. 

Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann said in the last four months, they have seen crossovers that led to a change in government.  

“The crossovers have brought down a federal government and four state governments and with talk of a counter-coup, may continue to bring down more governments mid-term.

“There should not have been a change of government mid-term. This goes against the voters who voted them in.” 

Fann said the groups were concerned about the last parliamentary sitting, which had convened for only a few hours despite the many issues that needed to be debated. 

“Fearing crossovers in a no-confidence vote, PH has damagingly emasculated Parliament. 

“This in turn did not allow for RM316 billion Covid-19 stimulus packages to be tabled (for debate),” he said.

He said that such political instability denies Malaysia the best possible responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent recession. 

Fann said their recommendations that could lead to ending the dispute and fair treatment for all is an end of both selective prosecution and immunity for politicians, activists, politically-connected businesses and all other persons. 

“There should also be parliamentary reforms at both federal and state levels to allow opposition lawmakers and government backbenchers to play more constructive and effective roles. 

“Political finance reform to both protect taxpayers’ money and ensure political parties’ financial health.”

He also said fresh elections should be caled if a lawmaker quits his party. 

“Recall elections to be introduced soonest at both federal and state levels. 

“This will allow voters the opportunity to sack sitting elected representatives on betrayal of election mandate or other reasonable grounds.”

Fann also added that the government must also look into elections and political parties to study how healthy multi-party competition may be facilitated. – June 10, 2020.