The Hung Parliament is something new, right off the bat post a general election for Malaysia, we have never had this kind of situation in our hands and therefore time is required before decisions can be made. Nonetheless, let's look at all the possibilities and why it has not materialized in the first place. PH having the biggest amount of seats (82) requires 30 seats to meet the minimum majority of 112. Naturally, you will see BN (30 seats) or GPS+GRS+Others (23+6+7 = 36 seats) should be an easy crack except that GPS, GRS and BN are all unhappy with PH. BN's reasons are known and clear, the distaste of DAP being the largest shareholder in PH is the main reason why. GPS and GRS however, were thought to be more malleable in nature being from Borneo, the usual BN safety net, but PH has not been able to court them into PH for some reasons not naturally disclosed to us. GPS and GRS have often traded barbs with PH on many occasions, even as recent as the last Malaysia day (16th Sept 2022), but these are general grand standings that parties usually front. Naturally what happens behind the scene is never revealed to any of us.
Anwar made a gesture of serving popcorn to the journalist as a signal, that he has negotiated with all parties and had given his proposal to the interested parties. Reality is highly likely the opposite, each and every member are probably still locked in negotiations and with negotiations comes counter negotiations and each kingmaker party(s) will be able to pick and choose who is going to join up with who.
It is a sad state that these negotiation details may not be made public. Highly likely there could be some unsavory discussion, happening behind our backs and behind the scenes. While we remain hopeful that nothing incriminating is in the books, however, in the eyes of the public, the perception is fixed, the winners will be perceived as tainted, and the losers will be perceived as good and just. when the nature of negotiations for each opponent party goes both ways.
As such the discussion that happens behind the scene is not beneficial to the "Rakyat" at large. Such discussion should it be made public could be scrutinized by the people based on facts and not based on some so-called whistleblower (or an irritated party). For those who succinctly believe all these parties are noble, do so at your own peril. While it is our right, to know the details of these discussions. Whether or not money exchanges hands, or promises of projects coming through somebody's way. Unfortunately without any public reporting, we will never get to know these juicy details. Unless we can transform ourselves to be a fly on the wall in one of these meeting rooms. (Or can we demand a specific act to fully disclose all negotiations with third party witnesses? But that's a discussion for another day)
The issue at hand is how long will these discussions take? The answer to that perhaps lies in how deeply pocketed are the parties involved. In this case, PH or PN might be the benefactors but someone else might be forking up the bills. These individuals will do anything but to remain unknown, but the last straw might depend on who has a deeper pocket than the other. Nonetheless, everything I write here is just my opinion and I would never insinuate any party to be indulging in such activities, but it is a possibility. Then the usual, of course, each party would deny from doing so. And when the winners raises their hands victorious the losers will cry fowl and accuses the other, while in reality, they are just another sore loser with a less deeper pocket. But of course, I am just a person who has a strong imagination for the worse types of scenarios, and I do hope all these are just figments of my vivid imagination.
So here we are, the "Rakyat" all riled up accusing each other, calling each other names, finger pointing at this party versus that party, and then there are those happily negotiating for a piece of the pie that we will not even smell. So relax my fellow Malaysians, for once take Anwar's advice, get some popcorn out and enjoy the show! Might as well since we kind of know deep inside what the outcome is going to be. I won't be surprised if the next comment I get would be accusing me of being a conspiracy theorist ya da ya da, that their beloved party leader will not be part of such vile acts, etc-etc. Because some of us will be that thick in the head, unfortunately, but I am at peace with them, they don't know, what they don't know. They are passionate for some cause and therefore useful as tools to someone with an agenda.
The only way out of this vicious cycle is a true blue unity government, between PH and PN, BN could choose to stay behind or become part of this tainted story, and that is why my previous article would like to swerve the discussion in this direction. BN needs to prioritize its reincarnation as an honest opposition, and not part of the government, if it remains with PN and forms a government, the said government will still lose its credibility just by association. The Chinese / non-Malay vote will remain with the opposition and that is truly going to lead to its own slow impending death.
So choose wisely "Barisan Nasional".
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