KUALA LUMPUR: The 15th General Election (GE15) last Saturday created history for several reasons, including resulting in Malaysia’s first-ever hung Parliament when none of the coalitions succeeded in securing a simple majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Neither were the two coalitions with the highest number of parliamentary seats, Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, willing to work together to form a multiple-coalition government.
Some political observers think that forming a minority government is the “best way out” if efforts taken by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah cannot resolve the political impasse.
Veteran analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain sees the formation of a minority government as a better option than having the nation administered by an interim government post-GE15.
“Even though it’s only going to be a minority government, it can at least maintain security, peace and harmony in the nation.
“Most importantly, the (2023) Budget (which has to be re-tabled in Parliament) can be passed,” Ahmad Atory said.
In the Malaysian context, a minority government refers to a government formed by a coalition of political parties that was not able to secure a simple majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Conceding the inherent weaknesses of a minority government, Ahmad Atory said it can still function well, particularly in terms of drawing up policies that prioritise the people’s interests.
Geostrategist and senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research Prof Dr Azmi Hassan also said the formation of a minority government is the best bet considering that Pakatan and Perikatan are reluctant to collaborate with each other and Barisan Nasional, perceived as the kingmaker, had declined to work with either coalition to make way for a multi-coalition government.
“Canada, for example, has seen many minority governments. It’s currently led by a minority government too as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party doesn’t have enough representation.
“However, the (Opposition) New Democratic Party willingly supported the establishment of a minority government to ensure the well-being of the people of Canada,” he said.
He urged Barisan to support either Perikatan or Pakatan in forming a unity government but admitted this is easier said than done due to the split among Barisan MPs.
“The decision now rests in Barisan’s hands.
“If its 30 parliamentarians care about the nation’s agenda, then they should make a unanimous decision to support the formation of a minority government while staying outside the government,” he added.
Asked if a minority government would be able to ease the prevailing political tension, Azmi said this can be achieved if the new government is able to administer the nation efficiently like Canada’s.
“Canada’s minority government is still ruling because its prime minister is fair to all the people,” Azmi said.
“In Malaysia, too, if the prime minister and his minority government govern impartially, then even (Opposition) parties such as Barisan will support the minority government,” he added.
Azmi also agreed that a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) was the best approach to reaching a consensus in policymaking in a minority government.
(To get the support of MPs and continue to be in office, a minority government needs to sign a CSA with one or more of the other parties.)
“The CSA is an agreement to gain the support of other parties when the minority government enacts policies.
“Through the CSA, MPs can support and pass policies such as the Budget. They can also take a neutral stand as long as the policies are approved,” he explained.
Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said the Federal Constitution poses no obstacles to the formation of a minority government as long as a prime minister is appointed.
He said there are three types of minority government, the first involving the coalition with the highest number of seats in Parliament.
“Pakatan, for example, has the highest number of seats and if other parties (or coalitions) support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appointment as prime minister, then they can choose to form a multiple-coalition government and Anwar can appoint MPs from those parties to his Cabinet,” he said.
The second type of minority government involves a unity government where Barisan, for example, can remain in the Opposition bloc without joining forces with Pakatan or Perikatan while supporting the prime minister.
“In such a situation, the prime minister can appoint one or more Opposition MPs to join the government – the Opposition can either support or oppose this,” Mohamed Haniff said.
The third type of minority government can be formed through the combination of a multiple-coalition government and a unity government.
“No matter what, a minority government can be created if no coalition commands a simple majority (in Parliament),” he added.
In GE15, Pakatan won 82 seats, Perikatan (73), Barisan (30), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS, 23), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six), Parti Warisan (three) and Independent candidates (two). Parti Bangsa Malaysia and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat won a seat each.
The Dewan Rakyat has 222 seats and to win a general election, a coalition or party has to secure at least 112 seats for a simple majority. — Bernama
