Malaysia faces theocracy, no sign of healing


Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Dr Oh Ei Sun of the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia says there is a distinct possibility that a conservative theocratic coalition will form with an emphasis on religious and racial supremacy. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 21, 2022.

POLITICAL observers have expressed concern that Malaysia could see the rise of a conservative theocratic coalition after no political parties were able to form a government following the results of the general election.

They said that with PAS having the biggest share of seats in Perikatan Nasional, the country unlikely to experience a healing process as the coalition would increase its efforts to implement its Islamist agenda.

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has said his coalition is confident of forming the federal government after securing 73 seats. The Pagoh MP was yesterday seen in discussion with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) president and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg.

GPS announced yesterday that it would be entering into a coalition with Perikatan Nasional, Barisan  Nasional (BN) and  Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) giving it 131 seats in the Dewan Rakyat with Muhyiddin as the prime minister. Muhyiddin had also announced that he was confident of being the 10th prime minister.

All coalition leaders must now inform Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun whether they have secured a parliamentary majority and submit their choice for prime minister to Istana Negara before 2pm today.

No healing process

Dr Oh Ei Sun of the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia said the country is taking a turn for the worse as there is a distinct possibility of a conservative theocratic coalition being formed with an emphasis on religious and racial supremacy.

“I do not see any healing process. If anything, it further divides the country between the conservative and the reformist bloc,” said Oh.

Agreeing with Oh was Badrul Hisyam Ismail of Iman Research who questioned Malaysia’s future role on the international stage and its geopolitical standing.

Badrul said Pakatan Harapan should be allowed to negotiate with other political parties first before PN as the former has a higher number of seats. Pakatan won 82 seats compared to PN’s 73.

“If we follow the convention of democracy, PH should be allowed to form the government because they are the biggest bloc but if they can’t then we will see a PN led government,” he said.

Badrul added that the country would now hear less about Malay-Muslim sentiments and this, he said, would lower the temperature on the political disorder.

“With PN’s win, there will be a little less noise on Malay-Muslim issues as PN is set to become a conservative right wing government. If PH comes to power, we will again hear a lot of noise about Malay Muslim matters,” he said.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) won 76 seats, while its coalition member Sarawak DAP won five seats and Muda one, for a total of 82 seats.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PAS won 51 and 22 seats, respectively, for a combined total of 73 seats.

Barisan Nasional (BN) won 30, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (22), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six), Warisan (3), Parti Bangsa Malaysia (1) and two independents one each.

Badrul said that he is sceptical of PN’s ability to fix the country’s economy after the coalition lost several of its senior and experienced lawmakers to PH candidates.

“They lost senior lawmakers such as Azmin Ali, Kamaruddin Jaafar, Rashid Hasnoon and Mansor Othman and of course with PAS the big winners, they will demand important portfolios.”

“They will bring up RUU355, they will empower syariah courts and Islamic laws and the most worrying is that non-Malays and non-Muslims will become second class citizens.”

“We must ask, what role Malaysia can play with PN in power. Geopolitically where do we stand? I do not see PN doing well on the international stage, especially PAS.”

“To be blunt, PAS is just another ‘jaguh kampung’ (village champion). If we look at their speeches before this, it’s all about race and religion. When was the last time we heard PAS or Bersatu talking about fixing the economy,” Badrul said.

Badrul Hisyam Ismail of Iman Research says PAS being the big winners in Perikatan Nasional will bring up RUU355, empower syariah courts and Islamic laws and the most worrying is that non-Malays and non-Muslims will become second class citizens. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 21, 2022.

PN must stop using race and religion

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia academic Mazlan Ali stressed that PN should learn how to act as a government after admitting that the Muhyiddin-led coalition is now in the driver’s seat to form the government.

He said the coalition’s tactic to garner support by using race-based sentiments can no longer be applied.

“To use religion and race is the easiest thing to do to get the support of rural Malays. It was proven as PN managed to win many seats in rural areas in Perlis, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

“They cannot use that tactic anymore once they are in power. In order to bring stability PN must not use it as it will not be tolerated.”

“PN must look for ways to strengthen the Ringgit and the economy instead of stoking petty issues. What the people care about is the country’s future and direction,” said the academic.

PN cannot form a government on its own. It must work with BN (30 seats), GPS (22 seats) and GRS (six seats).

PH could strike a deal with BN to form a simple majority government with 112 seats.

While it is impossible for PH and PN to work together, both parties, if they agree to set aside their differences, could form a majority government with 155 seats.

PH could also work with GPS, GRS and Warisan or with BN, GPS and GRS. – November 21, 2022.
 


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