Coalition Government

 

Press Release from BERSIH

20 November 2022

COALITION GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FORMED VIA PARTY-TO-PARTY NEGOTIATION, NOT COLLECTION OF STATUTORY DECLARATIONS

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) takes exception to the call of Speaker of Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun for party leaders to submit statutory declarations (SD) of their MPs who are willing to give support to a PM candidate to form the new government.

The Speaker should know that the use of SDs for the formation of government has been proven to be a failure again and again, contributing to much instability over the years.

A parliamentary government is a government based on a common governance programme, not a bunch of individual MPs supporting a common PM candidate, whether or not in exchange for positions.

It is unreasonable that party leaders are rushed into deals before all their MPs have the chance to deliberate and be heard. No timeline should be set for this important process.

The most important goal in this process is to ensure that a sustainable and stable government can be formed and this can only be achieved through a carefully negotiated agreement between the parties and it should not be hastily rushed through using SDs.

The signing of the MOU for Political Stability and Transformation in Parliament by the Ismail Sabri government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in September 2021 that restored political stability should be emulated in the current situation and enough time should be given to all parties.

It is better to be slow and steady in establishing a stable government than to rush and risk sending our nation into endless political machinations the next few years.

Malaysia badly needs a functioning government to prevail over the triple crises of economy, environment and endemic, not plagued by intense infighting between government partners. All quarters should always act prudently and responsibly to protect our parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.

Statement issued by:

The Steering Committee of BERSIH

701LeeLee Ee, Michelle Lo and 699 others

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