Parties need not sell out principles, can agree on joint manifesto — Azalina

LUMPUR: Political parties within a unity government need not sell out on their principles and policies and can remedy this by consenting to a joint manifesto, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said yesterday.

Acknowledging the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s wish for a unity government formed between the various political blocs in the ongoing postelection political deadlock, Azalina had sought to outline the advantage of being part of an inclusive unity government.

“Being part of a unity government does not mean that parties need to sell out on their principles and policies. Instead, they can agree on a joint manifesto to incorporate as broad of their manifesto promises as possible.

“This allows the parties to maintain their principles and policies, as well as to ensure that voters do not feel that they have been cheated,” she said in a statement.

Malaysia’s Parliament is hung for the first time in the country’s 59-year history following the Nov 19 general election.

No coalition won a simple majority of 112 out of 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat in the 15th general election.

Azalina said such a government system was not uncommon, citing the South African Government of National Unity formed in the postapartheid era, and the Kenyan Government of National Unity formed in the aftermath of the 2007 political crisis.

Azalina seemed to favour a minority government or a weak majority one, which can be preserved through a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) with those in the opposition.

“It’s a watered-down model of the ‘Strong Majority Government with a Responsible Opposition’, but with greater freedom for some parties who want to stay out of the government but are still committed to its survival under pre-agreed conditions,” she said.

She said in this minority government, some parties can still support the government without diluting its identity and distinction, with a “slimmer” government as the CSA would allow Opposition MPs to take up positions in the Shadow Cabinet or parliamentary committees, and check and balance will be stronger.

“In all three models, smaller parties are accommodated, but as we move from unity government to minority government buffered up with a CSA, we will gain in increased coherence within government, greater check and balance and retention of identity for parties who want to stay out of government,” she said.

Should a unity government concept is to be adopted, Azalina said a prime minister must be first appointed with the Federal Constitution now explicitly recognising political parties as constitutional actors in the appointment of the prime minister and formation of a government under the constitutional amendments relating to the Anti-Hopping Law.

“It is now up to political parties to put aside their personal agendas and differences in order to put the people first, so that as a nation we can achieve cooperation between race, religion, and region as a sign of respect to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decrees,” she said.

This option was also suggested by electoral watchdog Bersih, which said in a separate statement that all parties should consider powersharing through Parliament.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will seek the views of his fellow Malay Rulers in reaching a decision on the current political deadlock through a Council of Rulers meeting today.