Polls ready: A motorcyclist passing party flags in the run-up to the two by-elections in Johor. — Bernama
JOHOR BARU: Important institutional reforms will be stalled if the unity government does not retain the Pulai parliamentary seat as the administration will lose its two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, said a senior Barisan Nasional leader.
“This Pulai parliamentary seat is vital for laws to be passed. Without a two-thirds majority, the Opposition can always stall important legislature and make demands,” said Johor information chief Datuk Md Jais Sarday.
“It will be endless politicking in the country,” he said, adding that the unity government has 148 seats in the 222-seat Parliament.
He pointed out that Barisan contributes 30 seats, including 26 from Umno, to the unity government pact.
“I do not think that this one seat will bring down the Federal Government.
“In Johor, Barisan has a strong majority with 40 seats,” he said when asked if the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections could bring down the federal and Johor governments.
Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah said losing a two-thirds majority in Parliament will not cause Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government to collapse but it could affect reforms and constitutional amendments.
“A lot of politicking will surely ensue and cause delays to policy-making.
“The government is currently working towards amending the Federal Constitution to resolve the citizenship issue of children born to Malaysian mothers abroad.
“If Pakatan Harapan wins the Pulai seat, the Dewan Rakyat numbers will remain at 148 to keep the two-thirds majority needed to push for legislative reforms,” he told The Star.
Anwar currently commands a two-thirds majority in Parliament, the first after 15 years when Barisan lost it back in the 12th General Election in 2008.
Puah added that voters should understand that they have the power to determine whether the two-thirds majority would be retained or lost when they cast their votes in the by-election on Sept 9.
“The unity government also stands for moderation, centrist views and inclusiveness, as opposed to the other side.
“So a win for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat will definitely be a win for moderation,” he said, adding that losing the seats would also affect investor confidence.
The Pulai and Simpang Jeram seats, left vacant by the death of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, are both seeing three-cornered fights between Pakatan, Perikatan Nasional and independent candidates.
Political analyst Dr Md Akbal Abdullah, from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, said the stakes were not as high for the Simpang Jeram state seat as losing it will not affect the stability of the Johor government.
The state government currently stands at 40 seats under Barisan, 12 under Pakatan, three under Perikatan and one under Muda.
“The situation in Simpang Jeram is different from that in Pulai; Simpang Jeram folk want someone who is a local as their assemblyman.
“The word on the street is that Pakatan’s candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman is a local boy while his opponent, Perikatan’s Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya, is not. This could play a big part in the voter’s decision as well,” he added.
Another political scientist, Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali, said that it would be a “moral blow” if Pakatan were to lose either seat.
“The by-elections will determine whether the ‘wave’ as publicised by Perikatan has washed down to the south.
“But I believe that the political beliefs and socio-cultural elements in Johor are different from that of the northern and east coast states.
“Perikatan, fresh off the recent six state elections, are bringing their election machinery from the northern and east coast states to campaign in Johor.
“They are also bringing along their formula of playing up race, religion and the royal institution issues to the south, which may not sit well with Johor voters,” said Mazlan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Md Akbal agreed with this, saying that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar – who is revered by the Ruler’s subjects – was a strong advocate of the Bangsa Johor concept which respects ethnic and religious diversity.
“These issues may not resonate with the Johor voters who are more interested in the economy and investment topics,” he added.
Meanwhile, Perikatan vice-chief Mohd Solihan Badri said winning the Pulai seat would increase his party’s voice in Parliament.
“If the seat goes to Perikatan, we will be able to reduce the two-thirds majority in Dewan Rakyat, so they (the government) cannot just do whatever they want,” said the Tenang assemblyman.
“We also need a spokesperson for Pulai who will voice out the people’s problems,” Mohd Solihan said.
