For the third time since 2018, the nation is experiencing a quiver in the political landscape. In the first, voters were heralded as kingmakers after dethroning the six-decade-old BN government.
Twenty-two months later, the second tremor hit in the form of a political coup orchestrated at the onset of a global pandemic, in which Parti Gabungan Sarawak (GPS) played a pivotal role to tilt the balance in favour of Perikatan Nasional.
Seventeen months later, foes, who had turned friends, turned into foes again, resulting in the latest judder which comes as Malaysia records a death toll of more than 13,000 from Covid-19.
GPS, with 18 lawmakers in its stable, appears to be holding the trump card. However, this time around, it has passed the role of kingmaker to the king himself.
There are murmurs of concern over this development with regard to the powers of a constitutional monarch with some fearing it could set a dangerous precedent.
As far as former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim is concerned, GPS made a wise decision and spared the nation another protracted political crisis.
“By giving the king the flexibility to name his preferred choice, GPS has avoided what could be another lengthy period of strife in our political life.
“We can't afford this at this juncture,” he told Malaysiakini.
Zaid also believes the monarch's decision would be well-received and help facilitate a smooth vote of confidence for the appointee in Parliament.
“The king’s desire is to see a competent PM (prime minister) and not a compromised one.
“His wish is that the PM is accommodative and willing to work with all factions, and the candidate's other desirable qualities can only be ascertained by the king himself. Certainly not by MPs who always have self-interest to protect,” he added.
'Who else can we turn to?'
On the same note, Zaid acknowledged that some are worried the king has become “too assertive and that the palace has taken a step too far.”
“To them I say this - our monarch's role has been generous to a fault.
“When politicians asked to be appointed ministers after 'Sheraton Move', the king obliged them without telling them to initiate a confidence vote in Parliament. Which they should have done.
“When they asked for emergency rule on a public health issue, the king obliged them when he could have justifiably refused.
“When the king asked the politicians to table the ordinances in Parliament and have them debated, the politicians refused,” he added.
Zaid stressed that it was the king who attempted to follow the rule of law and was forced to step in due to the politicians' transgressions.
“Who else do we have when elected leaders no longer serve the interest and well-being of the nation?” he asked.
Earlier, Sarawak Chief Minister and GPS chairperson Abang Johari Openg said he would leave it to the wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide on who should helm the nation.
Later, he revealed that GPS supported a single candidate but declined to reveal the name, saying it would be inappropriate to do so before the king's announcement.
Speculation is rife that the candidate is Umno deputy president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is believed to be leading in the race for numbers.
Johari also stated that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is a contender for the post, did not reach out to him.
Meanwhile, NST quoted a source who claimed Johari said his MPs would revoke their support for Ismail if the king prefers to pick another candidate. - Mkini
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