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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright November 2022
In another twist to the complex saga of Malaysian politics, we learned late on Tuesday, three days after the election, that Perikatan Nasional is unwilling to work with PH to form a coalition government as proposed by the palace.
When Muhyiddin left the palace after a meeting with the Agong late Tuesday without saying a word to the media we suspected something was amiss.
We speculated that things must not have gone well or did not go the way Muhyiddin had expected.
Perhaps it had something to do with statutory declarations he had collected from MPs supporting him. Or the King could have suggested an idea that might not be acceptable to him and his own coalition.
After he left the palace gate Anwar Ibrahim showed up and spoke to the media. He said the King is hopeful that PH and PN could find a solution to the impasse.
Anwar appeared happy and cheerful. So, speculations were rife that everything must be going well for Anwar, the head of Pakatan Harapan. Some even speculated he could be PM10.
A few news agencies even published that Anwar was already a real possibility but had to retract a few hours later because the King had yet to make a decision. What a disappointment for his ardent supporters!
Later in the day, Muhyiddin Yassin revealed that he had declined a proposal from the royal palace that his coalition join hands with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to form a unity government.
Muhyiddin told the press, "I was asked to sign a document if we agreed. I signed, but said 'do not agree'.
"That is a stand we have taken," he said. (Malaysia Now)
Muhyiddin also showed an official proof of receipt from the palace of 115 statutory declarations showing that he had the majority support to form the government.
"That is why we were confident that we could form the government. But as you know, we were told it was not sufficient. I don't know the reasons behind this. But this is the proof.
"As such, Tuanku proposed that we join forces with PH to form a unity government.
"But on whatever basis, we will not agree to it." (Malaysia Now)
We must understand that It is difficult for PN which has contested so hard against an opponent, PH to be asked to join hands with its nemesis and form a government for the country.
We applaud the effort of His Majesty the King in trying to find a solution to break the impasse for the sake of the people and the nation.
But we also understand that for Muhyiddin it is indeed impossible to go against the objectives and principles of its coalition and work with PH to form a government.
This contrasts sharply with Zahid who went against the principles of his own coalition without their consent and partly contributed to this ongoing drama.
Incidentally, he is also the man who created this "Mother of elections" that brought us to this juncture in Malaysian politics.
Zahid will be long remembered as the culprit who singlehandedly cause so much anguish and anger to millions.
So what's next?
The King plans to meet all 30 MPs from Barisan Nasional that has decided to be the Opposition and interview them individually to find out who would be their choice as Prime Minister.
Obviously, SDs from UMNO submitted by PN or PH may not be good enough to convince His Majesty to appoint Muhyiddin as the Prime Minister. Thus the need to interview them individually.
So what happens after the King is through with his interview of 30 MPs from Barisan Nasional?
His Majesty would then be well informed about the choice for PM by each and every MP in UMNO-BN. The survey on preferences amongst UMNO MPs might offer His Majesty an insight into the real choice for PM yet unknown to him except through SDs that had been submitted to date that the palace has rejected.
That would really allow His Majesty to conclude who may likely command the respect of the Dewan Rakyat. Or who would get the majority if the vote was to be taken openly in Parliament itself?
So what? Well, His Majesty might have another solution by the end of his brief survey upon whom he could trust to head the next government.
This is deja vu!
The last time the Agong was made to intervene Muhyiddin Yassin came out as the winner and offered the position of PM8.
Would it be the same again this time around?
However, the King has one other option left, to declare a state of emergency and appoint a PM he deems fit. That remains to be seen whether he would choose this route.
In sum, we the rakyat can only look and see while our King decides what is best for the country because we really did not choose a Prime Minister. We voted for one MP that we like.
I am looking forward to the day when we have a chance to vote for our own Prime Minister rather than allow a political party or the King to decide for us. Only then perhaps we may help put an end to this drama from being repeated over and over again.
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