THE only way out of political uncertainty and a crisis of confidence surrounding the prime minister is to “consider” returning the mandate to the people through a general election, said Umno politician Azalina Othman Said.

“With so much political uncertainty at the moment and confidence (and no-confidence) motions unlikely to be voted on, perhaps the only way we can return to political normalcy is to consider returning the mandate to the people by calling for the dissolution of Parliament in order to pave way for general election,” the deputy speaker said in a statement.

She said 13 countries have to date held a general election amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Azalina also echoed the call by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for all parties to set aside their differences for the sake of the people and stand united in the “sacred” mandate being returned to the people.

“Perhaps only when political equilibrium is restored and the safeguards proposed are put in place, only then can politicians shift their focus on what they are expected to do when they come to power, by governing responsibly.”

Until then, Malaysia continues to see desperate times with desperate measures reigning over her, she said.

She proposed three bills to be tabled to ensure political stability.

They are an Anti-Party Hopping bill, a bill to regulate all political parties in a coalition government to include and compel them to enter and register into a written coalition government shared agenda and policies agreements, and a bill similar to the UK’s Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.

“Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, confidence votes must be specifically worded to trigger a general election.  

“This means that a government defeat on a budget measure would not necessarily bring down a government, though it is likely it would face a vote of no-confidence shortly afterwards, as its ability to command the will of the house would be in question,” she said.

The Penggerang MP said Malaysia can draw lessons from the FTPA by placing its own safeguards against political instability and turmoil, which will encourage good governance and promote a responsible government.

She will moot the three proposals in the current sitting if lawmakers are ready to unite and abide by the Agong’s decree to stop politicking.

The upcoming vote on Budget 2021, scheduled for Thursday for the policy stage, will be crucial as Covid-19 continues to ravage the lives and livelihoods of Malaysians.

“I had raised questions on how MPs would approach the Supply Bill 2021 in times of Covid-19 not too long ago and sadly, there are more questions than answers.”

If the Supply Bill is voted down, then the confidence in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be once again been called into question, she added. – November 23, 2020.