COMMENT | We don’t need leaders to govern, just executors

COMMENT | Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakon has said that the next general election is coming and is not too far away.

It was reported that he said this at the launching of the BN youth machinery at Titiwangsa Stadium. He also said that Umno’s top five leaders will be discussing the matter soon. As we all know, he has been under a lot of pressure to dissolve Parliament by his own party members.

So, what does this mean? Is Malaysia really going to have another general election soon or is this all just more hype?

Technically, the current government does not have to dissolve Parliament yet. The term only ends in July 2023, and a general election must be called within 60 days of that. That makes the latest election must be held in September 2023.

Is this the right time to hold an election? Who knows.

Many people are of the idea that at the moment, all the parties and coalitions aren’t showing any potential that they can do a good job as the government. Hence, there isn’t any point in having elections now because there aren’t any good candidates to vote for anyway. It would just be the same old same old.

The fact that there aren’t any solid coalitions to vote for is something that I would have to agree with. For example, take a look at the coalition that is the government right now. They aren’t that great. The only reason they are continuing to stay in power and able to govern fairly decently is because of the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) that was made with the opposition.

Under the CSA, it was agreed that the opposition will not challenge the position of the prime minister and the government, and in return, the government promises to implement certain policies and efforts. So far, the CSA has been holding up even though it has already expired. Of course, because it has expired, certain quarters are strongly pushing for a general election as soon as possible.

Coalitions

I believe strongly that going into a general election, the old way of two strong coalitions contesting with two clear manifestos is not how it will go down any longer. Coalitions will be formed after the election is over and the results are out. What this means is that there will be many individual parties or small coalitions contesting with their own manifestos.

There might not be any party that would have a clear majority to form the government, so those with the seats can negotiate and form coalitions to then form a government. The other way is for those who have won enough seats to form a minority government, but with the support of the opposition winners. I’m sure you can see what I am trying to get at here.

When smaller coalitions are formed post-election or if a minority government is formed, it means that everyone will need to collaborate and work together. Manifestos need to be adapted, negotiated and compromised so that the best points from all can be pushed forward and hopefully achieved. Basically, a CSA needs to be established.

To be honest, Malaysians couldn’t care less who will be the prime minister or cabinet ministers. We just want to know that whoever holds the roles can perform their duties as responsibly, efficiently and honestly as possible. Young, old, religious, secular, boring, exciting, handsome or pretty makes no difference to us. Just do the job properly. That’s all.

So, when a CSA has been entered, we know that the authority and power lie very precariously. One move against the agreement by whoever has been entrusted to lead will cause the others who have enough clout to just then pull their support and form another government that they feel will be more responsible. Basically, no one party or coalition will hold absolute power.

Take a look at the coalition in the government now. As much as we do or do not like the parties involved, there have been several things progressing. The Undi18 Act was passed. So was the anti-hopping law. Let’s not forget, the mandatory death sentence has also been abolished. All these were in the manifesto of the Pakatan Harapan government which isn’t the government now.

More progress has happened in these last months than has ever been. Sure, there are annoyances like how certain members who are in the government making statements that are extremist such as banning concerts and accusing non-Muslims of being those who are guilty of corruption. But although the noise is loud, the government has not made any indication of actually agreeing and making it policy.

Having a political system like this just takes the power away from those in power. Their position relies heavily on the support of those who aren’t in power. So, this form of balance of power is quite a healthy one. But for this to happen, Malaysians need to shed their thinking of needing leaders to lead us.

What we need to understand is that Malaysians will do the leading. We just need executors to govern.

ZAN AZLEE is a writer, documentary film-maker, journalist and academic. He had waited so long for a change in the system and he is not willing to settle for a half-past-six change. And then the Sheraton Move happened. Visit fatbidin.com to view his work.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

COMMENT | Harapan has only two options

COMMENT | Have we progressed in our treatment of refugees?

COMMENT | Malaysia has done the unimaginable, and we can do more

COMMENT | It’s hard to be patient for economy to recover