No reason for the PM to dissolve Parliament now

I stand in total disagreement with the view expressed by two senior Sarawak politicians this week that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad should dissolve Parliament as soon as possible to pave the way for a fresh general election.

On Jan 28, former federal minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (above) forwarded me a New Sarawak Tribune article in which he made the suggestion, saying that fresh polls would be one way to resolve the controversial leadership transition impasse.

The following day, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Dr James Masing expressed his support for Wan Junaidi, stating that as Pakatan Harapan was unable to resolve the matter, it was best for Malaysians to decide via a general election.

Masing also told the Dayak Daily news portal that Mahathir should call for a snap election soon, lest Malaysia slides further into the economic abyss, and noted that any delay would make recovery more difficult.

To Wan Junaidi and Masing (below), I’m sorry that I have to disagree with the idea of calling for snap polls now.

But let me thank Wan Junaidi, who is the Santubong MP, for sharing his latest political view with me.

I appreciate it whenever politician friends take the trouble to forward their published statements to me. Let me also assure them that I will respond with my thoughts; to make for healthy and meaningful discourse, if not for anything else.

This was my response to Wan Junaidi:

“I’m afraid I have to disagree with your view that the prime minister should dissolve Parliament now.

“No, not less than two years after an election. The leadership transition issue does not need a general election for a resolution. Pakatan Harapan must, however, make a decision on the matter urgently.

“But I agree with you on other matters you have brought up, such as the dismal Harapan performance, policy flip-flops and a cabinet which comprises some dumb ministers.

“I would also not worry about Anwar Ibrahim not becoming the next prime minister. I believe he will, despite the obstacles in his way, for that was a pre-GE14 promise and I expect it to be fulfilled.

“I can also agree with you that it is not for Mahathir to decide who should be the next prime minister but that the constitutional provision on the matter stands above all”.

Even though this is not exactly a confidential matter, I have also sought Wan Junaidi’s permission to pen this here, bearing in mind that his initial message to me was on a personal basis.

Some of the criticisms are not invalid

Of course, I do not expect a GPS politician to sing praises for Harapan, but some of Wan Junaidi’s criticisms of the federal government are not altogether invalid.

As a veteran legislator and a former minister, Wan Junaidi should know what he is talking about. A good government should also be able to accept views from responsible opposition critics.

An effective leader is one who listens attentively to his critics as a means of acquiring helpful feedback to improve his personal and organisational performance.

Unfortunately, I have serious doubts that our current prime minister is a listener. He has probably passed the age of having to listen to anyone, except himself.

At one point, Wan Junaidi was echoing the opinions and criticisms of Malaysians who questioned the quality and capabilities of Harapan lawmakers who have been jostling for positions in the most unbecoming and embarrassing manner.

This is real and factual, of course. Internal party squabbles and public mudslinging have plagued the Harapan coalition for a good part of the past 20 months since GE14.

Even as I write this, a federal minister who is under siege within her party is fighting for her political life. She has been alleged to have encouraged her supporters to hold “solidarity gatherings” throughout the country.

What is this? A minister who has publicly blasted her party president, rightly or wrongly, still refuses to go but is fighting to save her own skin. Is a personal ‘reformasi’ on display now? Which party will tolerate such gross indiscipline among members, let alone a senior leader?

Then, we hear of another Harapan partner threatening to exit the coalition if the United Examination Certificate (UEC) recognition is not resolved. And another pointed his finger directly at Harapan’s betrayal in handling the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) arrests.

Harapan leaders must understand that such grouses come from ordinary Malaysians too, not necessarily from their political opponents.

Indeed, the people are very disillusioned with the breed of self-centred, overly-ambitious and underserving politicians they elected into office 20 months ago.

Another reason why I feel calling for snap elections will be disastrous for the nation is the huge costs involved. GE14 budget was RM500 million. Surely, we cannot afford to waste a few hundred million ringgit unnecessarily on a general election at this point in time.

The pressing issues at hand can be resolved with political will and the resolve of Harapan leaders to return to pre-GE14 basics and implement what was agreed by all as equal partners.

That is the principle which the four Harapan partners have to uphold and Malaysians must ensure that they abide by it.

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com. - Mkini