Analysts: For Malaysia’s sake, stop bickering

Political analysts agree that both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat should have a ceasefire and work in a bipartisan effort to help in the national reconciliation exercise.

ANALYSIS

PETALING JAYA: With both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat still at loggerheads after the general election, analysts today called for both parties to come together in a bipartisan effort to facilitate the national reconciliation process.

Since the 13th general election, several BN leaders have embarked on racial salvos against the Chinese community for voting overwhelmingly in favour of the opposition pact.

Pakatan had also refused to recognise BN’s win and had kickstarted a series of public rallies alleging there were electoral irregularities during polling day and said that the BN is now leading a minority government as it got lower number of popular voters.

Political analyst Wong Chin Huat said that it was time for both coalitions to set aside political differences and focus on the national reconciliation process for the sake of all Malaysians.

Targetting Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Wong said that the former should spearhead the national reconcilition process by accepting the fact that he is heading a minority government.

“Admit the fact and address the allegations of electoral fraud. Turning it into a racial issue will not help the national reconciliation process,” he said.

Wong added that Najib should also be willing to agree to a power sharing concept in Parliament by appointing more Pakatan leaders into select committees.

For starters, Wong said that Najib could set up a select committee to address electoral fraud and improve the polling system, with Pakatan leaders in the committee.

“Let’s sit down together and ensure such irregularies does not occur in the 14th general election,” he said.

Similarly, Wong said that PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim should also recognise Najib’s government, with conditions attached.

“Pakatan can still accept BN’s operating procedure to a certain extent while denying full legitimacy. From then on, press for more electoral reforms and accept the power sharing concept,” he said.

Wong also encouraged the masses to continue with the civil disobedience process, but stopped short of calling for the removal of the government via street protests.

“Let us push for more electoral reforms by wearing black attire or apparels to show that we are not happy with how the general election was conducted.

“And after the reforms are done, the government should call for an early election to get a fresh mandate,” he said.

Ceasefire first

Echoing Wong’s sentiments, analyst Khoo Kay Peng also agreed that both sides have to tone down their political language and put national interest above partisan politics.

“It will be impossible for Najib to work with Pakatan if the latter refuses to accept the general election results.

“Similarly, BN should also stop making racist statements and their tough talking. We must have a ceasefire first,” he said.

Khoo added that the government must be serious in tackling the allegations of electoral fraud and convince voters that it would do the right thing for the sake of all Malaysians.

“And both coalitions need to sit down and agree on certain things. Our governance needs to be more inclusive and institutions like Pemandu should have round table talks with Pakatan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar also agreed with Khoo’s assessment but urged the media to also play its role in the national reconciliation process by disseminating correct information.

For that to happen, Zaini called for a joint committee to be set up, involving representatives from both mainsteam and online media.

“It must be a committee of equal footing so that both can work together to promote the national reconciliation process on a continuous basis,” he said.

Zaini added that the committee could also work to weed out any negative elements in the industry and promote information that would bring Malaysians together.

At the same time, Zaini said that the law enforcement agencies should carry out their duties without fear and favour against anyone who is against the national reconciliation process.

“We will always have negative elements trying to undermine our unity and for that, the police must act against this people as per the provisions provided under the Federal Constitution,” he said.