By Niza Shimi
There’s a popular Malay proverb that is often quoted by United Malay National Organisation leaders after internal party elections, that is “biduk lalu, kiambang bertaut” (after a paddle boat passes through water hyacinths, the plants will reassemble).
This is a metaphor to remind warring factions to reconcile. There was never any need for a memorandum of understanding (MOU). It was just understood that all differences should be set aside for the sake of the party.
Perhaps that age old wisdom doesn’t apply for the country's situation since the 15th general elections (GE15), the setting aside differences for the Unity Government which is, in actuality, a coming together of minority coalitions because nobody obtained majority.
Whatever the name they choose to call themselves, it seems more like a call for ceasefire for all warring factions after the reality sank in that they had to do it, under orders from the King. Like it or not, they had to set aside their differences.
But can a marriage of inconvenience turn into a love union? Today these parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that draws circles around the limits set by each component coalition. It is a conditional union, not one based on love or mutual understanding.
The MOU was signed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for Pakatan Harapan (PH), Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for Barisan Nasional (BN), Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and Datuk Seri Mohamad Shafie Apdal for Parti Warisan.
According to TOC, this means that with PH (82 seats), BN (30 seats), GPS (23 seats), GRS (6 seats) and Warisan (3 seats) and two MPs from Parti Bangsa Malaysia and Social Democratic Harmony Party (PKDM) and the other two independent MPs.
That means, Anwar’s unity government had garnered support from 148 MPs and achieved a two-third majority out of 222 seats in the Parliament. Does this mean he has the power to do whatever he wants unopposed? Oddly, there is an opposition to this unity government.
As Perikatan National (PN) coalition with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), and Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, with 73 seats had declined to join the unity government, PN will be the opposition.
This is unprecedented in Malaysian history, a government of MOU that is not legally binding, if I’m not mistaken. On November 19, 2022 when Parliament sits for the first time since GE15, there will be a call for a vote of confidence by PM10. For sure, it will be a shoo in.
According to the terms of the MOU, MPs who vote against the government (or the PM, I presume) are deemed to have resigned. After the MOU signed by the respective party presidents, would any MP dare to cross the line?
The MOU is a not a marriage certificate based on love, obviously. It is a marriage of inconvenience based on necessity. Will 148 MPs pledge allegiance for anything that PM10 does? That would be interesting to see.
At a Mahabbah gathering for Islamic scholars and religious teachers in the PM’s official residence Seri Perdana in Putrajaya, Anwar was quoted as saying the King wanted him to explain his majority support to avoid confusion and not to offend the position of the Malay rulers.
I suppose the MOU settles that issue.
It was vintage Saudara Anwar (what he used to be called before he entered politics) that spoke to the audience of religious scholars. He name dropped renowned scholars just like he used to do before political campaigning showed him singing songs like Hoi hoi ya hoi.
The Mahabbah means showing ultimate love for Allah. With PH and BN having lost the Malay Muslim vote to PN, can PM10 show love to the Malay Muslim voters who did not vote for him to be PM or will his love be conditional on what is approved by his loyal supporters?
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