Kuala Lumpur, 19 December 2020 – Months of political uncertainty has resulted in increasing fragmentation and instability in both government and opposition. The recent Budget session has proven that the Prime Minister only has a majority of 3 MPs, which indicates a fragile government prone to defections. Meanwhile, the opposition’s failure to unite and Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s constant efforts to secure the numbers needed to gain the Premiership have left little room for genuine reforms to be proposed by them. In order for the opposition to function effectively, IDEAS  urges them to shift their focus to policy-driven solutions to Malaysia’s problems and to form a functioning shadow cabinet.

In this shadow cabinet, there must be at least one opposition MP shadowing each Ministry and concrete counter proposals must be developed, for example, a Shadow Budget. Furthermore, the opposition should constantly develop policy ideas to tackle unemployment, rejuvenate the economy, enhance good governance and control Covid-19. “This year is the first time in many years that the PH as Opposition did not present a Shadow Budget. Only when the Opposition proposes concrete policy ideas that uplift the wellbeing of the rakyat will they start gaining back the public’s trust. Although divisions are a character of multiparty democracies, it is only when these divisions are productive, policy-driven and provide solutions for the people, will the Opposition’s credibility be truly tested. The Opposition itself is an important institution that provides checks and balances to government decisions, and it is more important than ever for them to play that role now”, comments Aira Azhari, Manager of the Democracy and Governance Unit.

In the long run, the government’s slim majority needs to be tested through a general election. As COVID-19 cases continue to soar, focus must also be on the ways in which elections can be conducted safely and in accordance with SOPs. “The eventuality of a general election is a strong signal for the Election Commission and all stakeholders to prepare for voting during a pandemic, as has been done in many other democracies. The government’s razor-thin majority will only prolong the instability we currently face, thus the mandate should be returned to the Malaysian people to decide their next government”, concludes Aira.

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For media enquiries, email aira@ideas.org.my