It is not in Malaysia's interest for Umno-BN to implode, crumble & crash - Rafizi

Amid rising worry in the Umno-BN coalition that it might lose the May 5 general election, PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli made it clear that it was not the wish of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition to see its rival "implode crumble and crash" to the ground.

According to the 33-year-old Rafizi, the political landscape in the country had changed and Malaysians now wanted a two-party system with a strong government and a strong Opposition to maintain check and balance.

He called for "national reconciliation", saying that the political landscape in Malaysia had changed 'permanently' and the people now wanted a two-party system with a strong government as well as a strong opposition.

"We can't continue with this political contest after this election. If Pakatan wins, we want to move on and hit the ground running and for that we need everyone's support including the good politicians in the BN and Datuk Ong Tee Keat ranks very highly as one of them. As to what sort of role or position, it is not for my prerogative to decide but generally in Pakatan Rakyat it has always been discussed that once you win, you have to forge national reconciliation and obviously there will be places and roles for people like Datuk Ong Tee Keat and Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim because these are politicians of high-standing from the BN. They are formidable opponents, they are respected, they are clean," Rafizi told a press conference on Tuesday.

"They are the hope of the Malaysian people that even after losing the next general election, BN will continue to play its role as formidable and competent opposition to the PR government. Because the last thing we want is if PR wins, BN implodes and crumbles and crash to the ground. They need to be there they need to work together with PR so that we can push non-partisan reform agenda. So this is why I always believe regardless of what choices Datuk Ong and Datuk Kamilia decides after this, they have a place in our national politics to chart the next national political landscape after this general election."

High possibility of going to jail

Rafizi, who will be contesting the Pandan parliamentary seat, expects a close win - with either the PR or the BN coming out on top. This would force both sides to work closely together and shift towards a less partisan brand of politicking, he predicted.

"The next Parliament is going to be a very close majority Parliament either way. Our political landscape has changed and the people want both sides to remain and work together so that the most sought-for reforms are pushed through, say for example the excise duty on cars. It's true it comes from PR but the we have no qualms about this. Whoever forms the next federal government we must remove excise that. BN understands that, PR understands that. Therefore to push through legislation in a very tight majority House like the next Parliament, both parties must have give and take. And we must ensure the whole focus of the government is going to be that of reform not of witch hunt on both side. Even if BN wins, they cannot keep attacking the Opposition," Rafizi said.

Rafizi's corruption expose's against the top Umno leaders have made him a bane to the Najib administration. However, while he admitted there was a "high possibility" that he might be put behind barsl if the Pakatan lost the election, he warned that going on "witch hunts" or pursuing tit-for-tat politicking would not help the country and might spur any backlash from the public.

"If PR loses in the GE, there is a very high possibility I am going to jail for the criminal charges BN has brought against me. BN has a choice. It can go around prosecuting the Opposition leaders but that is not in the best interest of the country. That same goes for Pakatan, we can actually go on witch hunt and prosecute everyone. But that is not in the best interest of the country either. The best one is that the good minds, the good politicians, people of high standing and credibility come together to agree on legislative reform agenda so that we can quickly push through the top reforms that are the most important to the country - reform of the Election Commission, reform of government, reform of the judiciary, policies. That is what I mean by national reconciliation after the next general election."

Malaysia Chronicle