GE15: Hung Parliament best chance to upgrade Malaysia's politics and institutions

SHAH ALAM - A hung Parliament may give Malaysia the best chance to upgrade its politics from its ethno-religious fights and patronage, says Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).

The Bersih steering committee said whichever party or coalition that manages to form a government after Nov 19 sees this as an opportunity to strengthen our check and balance institutions such as Parliament and the Judiciary.

In its statement released late last night, the coalition said this in return would ensure any subsequent government formed can be held accountable by the people.

Bersih also urged that the political parties to respect democratic procedures and exercise prudence in their post-election manoeuvres.

This, it said, was to ensure a stable government was formed after the 15th General Election (GE15) and last till its full term in 2027.

“From our nation’s experience in 2018-2021, no Federal Government can be a stable if the Opposition parties are marginalised and the winner-takes-all political culture is continued.

“Hence, the formation of a stable government must include an overall negotiated settlement with coalition partners and the main opposition parties,” it said in a statement today.

The ten point suggestion included the government formation by cross-party negotiations, the biggest block getting the priority to form government first, manifestos guiding coalition government’s programme and a full-term government with a comfortable majority and a confirmatory vote of confidence. It also added that the public agreements on coalition and confidence-and-supply, recognition of Shadow Cabinet, an act on equitable constituency development fund, political financing act with public financing of political parties as well as separation of Public Prosecution from Attorney General’s Chamber.

The Election Commission early this morning confirmed that it was a hung Parliament with none of the coalition or parties obtained a simple majority of 122 seats. Overall Pakatan Harapan has 75 seats, Perikatan Nasional has 78 seats, Barisan Nasional has 30 seats, Gabungan Parti Sarawak has 22 seats, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah has six seats, Warisan has three seats and two seats for independent candidates, while Muda and Parti Bangsa Malaysia has one seat each.