I don't want a unity government
COMMENT | Interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is proposing a unity government comprising of individuals from various parties, till recently ruling and opposition.
I don't agree with that. I don't want a unity government. And I don't think it's wise to have one.
What will be this unity government's manifesto? What reforms will it bring? Coming from different parties of different persuasions, how will they agree on common goals?
Secondly, if there's a unity government, will there still be an opposition? Whom will it comprise? And if there's no opposition, who is going to be the check and balance against what the unity government does?
Methinks Mahathir wants to head a unity government so that he can be the one to call the shots. This could easily make him authoritarian. Do we want that, given his past track record?
Furthermore, who will he choose to form his cabinet?
People like Umno's Hishammuddin Hussein who is beset with corruption allegations? Heaven forbid!
Former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali? The one they now call "traitor" for allegedly engineering the coup that has caused the country to lose billions of ringgit these past few days? What message would that send out?
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin who played the Judas Iscariot role of pulling Bersatu out of Pakatan Harapan and causing the government to collapse?
Other Umno stalwarts that are Mahathir's old pals or lackeys? Plus Mercedes-loving, pious men from PAS...
COMMENT | Interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is proposing a unity government comprising of individuals from various parties, till recently ruling and opposition.
I don't agree with that. I don't want a unity government. And I don't think it's wise to have one.
What will be this unity government's manifesto? What reforms will it bring? Coming from different parties of different persuasions, how will they agree on common goals?
Secondly, if there's a unity government, will there still be an opposition? Whom will it comprise? And if there's no opposition, who is going to be the check and balance against what the unity government does?
Methinks Mahathir wants to head a unity government so that he can be the one to call the shots. This could easily make him authoritarian. Do we want that, given his past track record?
Furthermore, who will he choose to form his cabinet?
People like Umno's Hishammuddin Hussein who is beset with corruption allegations? Heaven forbid!
Former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali? The one they now call "traitor" for allegedly engineering the coup that has caused the country to lose billions of ringgit these past few days? What message would that send out?
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin who played the Judas Iscariot role of pulling Bersatu out of Pakatan Harapan and causing the government to collapse?
Other Umno stalwarts that are Mahathir's old pals or lackeys? Plus Mercedes-loving, pious men from PAS?
No, thanks! We even voted against some of them at GE14.
Thirdly, what happens at GE15 when the unity government is dissolved?
Revive old gov’t
So, please, no unity government. The best - and honourable - thing for Mahathir to do is to regroup with his Harapan allies and continue to fulfil the mandate that was legitimately given to them on May 9, 2018.
If they don't have enough numbers to swing it, woo GPS over. Some MPs from Bersatu might also join in.
Indeed, when you start getting sufficient numbers and start looking like a victor, you can be sure others will follow and throw in their lot with you.
But Mahathir seems to have rejected that option of reviving his old government, even though Harapan invited him to continue leading the coalition. Now, wouldn't we like to know his reasons for turning them down?
Instead, he's gone on television to make a case for his proposed solution to the entire mess created by the mischief-makers. I suppose he was trying to sell the idea to the people of Malaysia or to make a plea for our support.
But sorry, old man, I'm not going along with that. I'm not supporting your idea.
I'm hoping that Harapan will get the numbers it needs to continue governing and trying to fulfil its promised reform agenda, even without you.
Hidup Malaysia!
KEE THUAN CHYE is the author of the bestselling book 'The People's Victory'.
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