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KUALA LUMPUR - The outcome of the Johor state election (PRN) is seen as an important indicator of how effectively federal and state governments can continue working together in a mature and professional manner to ensure that development initiatives and public welfare remain unaffected.
While political rivalry during an election campaign is a normal feature of democracy, political analysts believe that once voters have made their decision at the ballot box, the focus should shift towards strengthening governance and accelerating the implementation of policies that benefit the people.
Political analyst and media consultant Datuk Anbumani Balan said all parties must prioritise political understanding and maturity in accepting the Johor election’s official results to ensure the continuity of the people's development agenda and that the Bangsa Johor mandate remains the foremost priority.
Anbumani described the scenario of political parties competing at the state level while continuing to cooperate at the Federal level as a new and mature political norm.
"The winners do not win everything, and the losers do not lose everything. We celebrate one another because Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are on the same team at the federal level. Although they are partners there, here in the Johor election they become rivals. That is a new political model, a new norm. What matters most is that we safeguard the country's stability," he said as a guest panellist on Bernama TV's special Johor election results programme tonight.
As of 10.32 pm (Saturday), Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced that Barisan Nasional had secured a simple majority of 29 of the 56 contested seats while Pakatan Harapan had won two seats, and that other parties, as well as independent candidates, had yet to win any seats at the time of the announcement.
Unofficial results, however, showed BN winning 48 seats while PH securing eight.
Meanwhile, MADANI Research Centre chairman Dr Madhi Hasan said any disagreements that arose during the election campaign should not prevent the state and federal governments from continuing to work closely together to deliver development programmes and fulfil the people's expectations.
In the post-election period, all parties must demonstrate political commitment by setting aside their differences and playing their respective roles to ensure that the people's mandate is translated into effective governance, he added.
"This can be achieved by showing a stronger commitment to cooperation, especially in matters involving shared interests and overlapping areas of jurisdiction for the benefit of the people.
"For example, in housing, the federal government can provide incentives through the Housing and Local Government Ministry, but land matters fall under the state government's jurisdiction. Implementation therefore requires cooperation within each party's respective authority, and these issues need to be resolved promptly," he pointed out. - BERNAMA
