BANDAR Kuching MP Kelvin Yii’s proposal for a fixed-term parliament (FTP), which he said was needed “to put an end to the election guessing game”, has been given the thumbs down by experts.

They noted a fixed-term parliament will not necessarily end the politicking but may actually see the opposite as ministers seek re-election.

Yii had mooted the idea of a fixed-term parliament, pinning the date of the general election to the start of a parliamentary term.

The Dapsy national chief said the ritual game of guess the general election date causes so much uncertainty and is detrimental to the interests of the nation.

Yii said the country is held ransom “to the internal politics of a single party”, in apparent reference to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s recent announcement, postponing an Umno leadership meeting to discuss the next general election.

“Such uncertainty is detrimental to the country. The decisions of millions, from investors and fund managers planning their, to policemen and teachers planning their family holidays, hinge on the decision of one man or even party to call the election,” Yii said.

He added an unpredictable electoral calendar is bad for economic growth.

Universiti Putra Malaya dean of humanities, management and science Jayum Jawan said there was nothing wrong with the current system.

“You don’t burn the mosquito net in order to kill one mosquito,” he said, quoting the proverb.

Jawan said there has been legislation, like the anti-party hopping law to prevent MPs from switching parties at their whims and fancy, introduced even though the system was not defective.

The introduction of the law, he said, is in itself “undemocratic by conscribing free association”.

He said it was introduced because a small group of MPs who jumped ship “failed to grow into their honourable roles”.

“They are motivated by personal interests in their political calculation; they forgot the basis upon which they have been put in their public roles.

“This is clearly not the answer to deal with the small minority.”

Universiti Malaya professor of Malay Studies, Awang Azman Awang Pawi, said a fixed date could result in ministers losing focus on their duties while they start politicking to win re-election.

University of Tasmania professor of Asian Studies, James Chin, said statistical data on election dates has shown there is no correlation between fixing terms of governance and political stability.

He added that the past two or three years of uncertainty does not mean the system needs to change.

“The biggest downside of the proposal is that if you elect the wrong people, you get stuck with these people until the next election. No way out until then.”

“On the other hand, the government will argue that it is not given the chance to serve its full mandate (if the election is called early), so fixing terms ensures the government will survive the full five years.”

Nonetheless, Chin said Malaysia has no need for this arrangement.

“The present system has served us fairly well. The political instability which we experienced recently pales in comparison to the stability of the past 60 years.

“All political systems have messed around with providing stability, but a fixed-term parliament is not a good idea, it does not suit this country,” Chin said. – September 17, 2022.