YOURSAY | ‘PM must move more decisively on governance reforms.’

Can Madani stay in power if snap polls held amid fuel crisis?

EmEmKay: Under the current global circumstances – wars, supply chain disruptions, and high interest rates in major economies – Malaysia’s economy has actually held up relatively well under the Madani government.

Growth has been positive, inflation has been contained compared to many peers, unemployment is manageable, and the ringgit’s weakness has been cushioned by steady investment and relatively strong exports in several sectors.

In that sense, Madani has provided a degree of stability at a very turbulent moment globally.

The fuel crisis, however, is a political stress test. Any abrupt subsidy rationalisation or price spike hits people’s daily lives directly and can rapidly erode goodwill, especially among lower- and middle-income groups already feeling cost-of-living pressures.

If snap polls were called in the middle of such a crisis, Madani’s chances of staying in power would hinge on three main factors:

1. Whether people feel the pain is fairly shared. If the public sees that subsidy reforms are targeted – protecting the poorest, asking more from the better-off and large corporations – there will be greater tolerance. If it feels like “ordinary rakyat pay, elites untouched”, anger will be intense and easily mobilised by the opposition.

2. Whether the government is seen as competent and honest. Voters may accept tough measures during a crisis if they trust the government’s integrity and capability. Here is where Madani’s weaknesses are most visible: not just in economic management, but in the perceived seriousness about reforming institutions and fighting corruption.

3. Whether there is a credible alternative. If the opposition can convince voters that it will ease the fuel and living-cost burden without sacrificing stability, Madani’s support could crack. If, however, voters fear a return to instability, intra-coalition infighting, or worse governance, many might “hold their nose” and stick with the current government despite frustration.

On balance, Madani can stay in power in snap polls even amid a fuel crisis – but only if it couples painful economic decisions with visible, credible reforms on integrity and institutions.

Without that, the narrative will be that the rakyat must sacrifice while the political class remains protected.

That is why, alongside managing the fuel crisis and cost of living, I believe Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must move more decisively on governance reforms:

• Act more boldly on corruption.

The government often speaks of anti-corruption, but people want to see unmistakable moves:

Remove the current chief of the MACC immediately to signal a clean break from any perception of political interference, bias, or selective prosecution.

Ensure investigations into major scandals – regardless of party or rank – proceed without fear or favour, with transparent updates where possible.

• Reform the structure of legal authority.

Concentrating too much power over prosecutions in the hands of the executive fuels distrust:

Split the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor so that prosecutorial decisions are not tied to the government of the day.

Make key law officers answerable to Parliament rather than the prime minister, with fixed terms and clear, transparent criteria for appointment and removal.

• Parliamentary appointment and oversight of the MACC.

To restore trust in the anti-corruption commission:

Allow Parliament to appoint the MACC chief commissioner, ideally through a bipartisan or special committee requiring cross-party support.

Make the MACC chief formally answerable to Parliament through regular reporting and hearings, not to the Prime Minister’s Office. This would help protect MACC from being used as a political weapon and strengthen its independence.

• Gradually reform politicians’ pensions and perks.

At a time when people are being asked to accept higher fuel costs and fewer subsidies, it is morally untenable for politicians to retain generous lifetime benefits.

Gradually phase out pensions for state assemblypersons, MPs, and ministers, especially those who have served short terms.

By taking these steps, Madani would gain a stronger moral mandate to ask the rakyat to endure short-term pain from subsidy reforms and fuel price adjustments.

HoyoHoyo: The global economic outlook is bleak. Inflation, supply chain disruptions, unemployment, and fuel shortages are expected to escalate further.

The wars in the Middle East are not ending and could drag on. More hardships lie ahead.

A snap election under such turbulence and uncertainty would be unpredictable. Any government would lose in that situation. It is plain foolishness. Good governance is needed to guide and navigate Malaysia. Thus far, the prime minister is managing well during this global crisis.

MarioT: When a country is facing uncertainty and economic disruption, it is unwise to hold a general election to test the people’s choice.

The fuel crisis is not the doing of the Madani government, but a global phenomenon. What the government is doing to cushion the effects of economic fallout caused by supply disruptions and to maintain a stable cost of living is commendable.

We do not want political turmoil to add to our woes. A government’s capability is tested in troubling times, and this one has not fared badly thus far.

PowerRanger: No individual or political party in Malaysia is truly capable of running the country.

Sweet promises and polished manifestos appear before general elections, but afterwards, they are forgotten and replaced by personal agendas.

Sadly, none of the political parties in Malaysia seems capable of governing effectively.

Mortal Thoughts: Indeed. Is there a political party worthy of our vote and support?

It is a sad day for Malaysians when we must choose the best among the worst.

What would be worse is not voting at all and allowing others to bring the worst of the worst into power to determine our collective fate.

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