A 'waste of time' if Harapan gains a narrow majority, says prof

It is a waste of time if Pakatan Harapan manages to achieve a narrow majority because it can create an unstable government, said political analysts.

According to Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya (UM), Harapan needs to have a support base of 130 seats and above to be in a comfortable position.

“The government's transition can be done before the July parliamentary session but it should be confirmed only if there is evidence of the support of at least 130 (parliamentarians). If it is less than that, it is a waste of time as a very small minority will mean that the government remains unstable.

“As such, gathering support needs to be done now. It is difficult for Harapan to attract more MPs because they have lost power, not to mention that (ex-premier) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) on paper appears to be without a party.

"At no point in our history, has Malaysia had a PM with no party,” he told Malaysiakini.

Two days ago, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub had hinted that Harapan might be able to recapture Putrajaya from the Perikatan Nasional government led by Muhyiddin Yassin before the next parliamentary session, which is expected to start in July. 

Speculation has been rife that Harapan, Mahathir, and Warisan had allegedly secured 129 MPs on their side to reclaim Putrajaya from PN.

However, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim later said that whether Harapan has 129 MPs on its side is still in the works, and not finalised. 

Awang Azman (above) said in order to attract more MPs, every major Harapan leader had to use their political and charismatic aura to attract their MPs from PN.

“This is because, in times of great crisis, charismatic leaders will stand out and resolve big issues.

"With a minimum of 130 votes, there is no need for a snap election, but if it is less, then the people need to be prepared for early polls," he said.

'Impossible to take power in near future'

Former University of Science Malaysia (USM) sociology lecturer Prof Ahmad Atory Hussain said it was impossible for Harapan to recapture the government from PN before the next parliamentary session in July.

He said claims of a transfer of power should be supported by solid evidence and not just based on the words of a politician.

“But why wait until July? Just go see the Agong."

“I think if they had the (support of) 129, they would immediately go to the Agong to state that they had a sufficient majority to form a new government. But there's nothing.

“So they should be challenged to show proof. Otherwise, it's just a provocative statement or political propaganda," Atory (below) said.

Concurring with Atory was Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) lecturer Prof Zaini Othman who said the government's transition would not be possible in the near future.

Clearly, the amount of speculation from the backing of the 129 seats also depends on a number of factors such as whether it can be proven in Parliament through a motion of no confidence.

“So, if it does happen, it depends on the motion of no confidence in Parliament, and to what extent that priority will be taken by the speaker in the Dewan Rakyat.

For the record, the speaker had initially accepted a motion of no-confidence in Muhyiddin as prime minister for the May 18 sitting, but its agenda was changed to limit the occasion to just the royal address.

“To happen before July is impossible because I do not think the supreme court will accept any such claim. This is a vague allegation," Zaini said.

He claimed it might just be political posturing as political parties have to project great confidence.

"If they say they have no chance, no support, then that is not the character of a political party.

"For me, it is a game of any political party regardless of Umno, PAS or any other political party," he said. - Mkini