WHILE the king has given his consent to the dissolution of parliament, as a nation that functions on constitutional monarchy, the impending general election has already started with a thud. While there is fiery rhetoric from Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision is after all what they had been pushing for, His Majesty has done with utmost reluctance, potentially, repugnance.

First and foremost, many tend to forget that it is the responsibility of the cabinet to work with, not against, the king.

Yet, the reverse has happened. The Federal Constitution clearly states the king is the head of the armed forces. By this token, the monarch’s concern over polls being held during monsoon season suggests that Umno and BN are bringing the monarchy into a risky opprobrium.

Politicians come and go but the monarch is part of the system of constitutional monarchy. Rather quaintly, it is the monarchy that has to potentially absorb “the slings and arrows of misfortune”.

First, the fate of Umno’s court cluster, who are trying to wriggle out from their prospective long prison sentences – like the ones already handed down to the former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor – making the rule of law all but a joke. The lives and views of the monarchy don’t matter.

Politicians with multiple charges should not be the hot magnet for local businessmen to approach them with such financial overtures.

After all, money is the best coward. Even when Malaysia does avail itself of a strong return, every right thinking foreign businessman would still want outright reassurance from the start: that their businesses would be above and beyond palm greasing. Read: Corruption.

This is why the Sultan of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah warned that the level of corruption in Malaysia must be put on the stump. They must be stopped. Ideally, Malaysians must have zero tolerance for it. It takes two to tango.

Second, a monarch-approved but not necessary blessed general election has started Malaysia’s potential renewal on the wrong footing. Instead of working together as one family, Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s concept of “Keluarga Malaysia” is but an empty platitude to put the political interests of Umno and BN ahead of even the weather.

After the devastating monsoon flooding of December 2021 – with more than 55 dead, 500,000 internally displaced and damages of more than RM6.5 billion – one cannot help but feel a deep contempt for the decision to call for a general election now. Especially with a potentially harsher deluge to come.

Even PAS, the “dark coalition partner” of Umno, has affirmed that the call for dissolving parliament, seems “rushed”.

Many do not come close to understanding the sheer panic and fear of the people when flood-waters rush into their homes, student hostels, public and private hospitals.

Umno and BN are essentially demanding the impossible from the people: vote if you can, don’t if the water begins to flood your homes.

May Allah save Malaysia. – October 13, 2022.

* Dr Rais Hussin is the CEO of Emir Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.