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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright July 2024
In the ever-dramatic saga of Malaysian politics, the latest episode features Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his deft maneuvering of the anti-hopping law, a masterpiece of legislative manipulation that rivals the most intricate political thrillers. Muhyiddin Yassin’s latest outburst, where he accuses Anwar of cherry-picking the anti-hopping law, only adds another layer of farce to this ongoing comedy.
Muhyiddin, ever the voice of legal clarity, insists he understands the law—presumably better than anyone else, especially Anwar. He cites Article 49A, emphasising that MPs who cease to be party members must vacate their seats.
How touching, his dedication to the letter of the law, except when it doesn't serve his purposes.
The six Bersatu MPs, who conveniently defected to Anwar’s side, apparently do not understand this pristine piece of legislation. But wait, is there a hidden agenda behind this theatrical display of legal know-how?
Cue Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, the supposed arbiter of parliamentary propriety, who decided not to declare the seats of these six MPs vacant.
According to former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, Johari is "totally unfit" for his role, turning democracy into a mockery.
One wonders if Zaid’s disappointment is genuine or just another performance in this political pantomime. His dramatic call for PN to boycott Parliament because of this ‘farce’ is a plot twist straight out of a bad soap opera.
The anti-hopping law, hailed as a safeguard against political betrayal, is now the very tool being used to betray its own purpose.
Muhyiddin and his cohorts, who were all for this law when it suited them, now find themselves on the receiving end of its ‘selective’ application. The irony would be delicious if it weren't so predictably hypocritical.
Anwar, with his knack for political gymnastics, has turned the anti-hopping law into his very own trampoline, bouncing defectors into his fold with apparent impunity.
And what of these six MPs? Zulkafperi Hanafi, Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz, Zahari Kechik, Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, and Iskandar Dzulkarnain—their names now synonymous with political flexibility. They have managed to retain their seats despite losing their party memberships, thanks to the benevolence of Speaker Johari and, of course, the subtle yet unmistakable hand of Anwar’s political machinery.
The real masterstroke, however, lies in the implications for Anwar’s government. With a solid bloc of defectors safely ensconced within his ranks, he edges closer to the coveted two-thirds majority in Parliament. A majority that, as former minister Khairy Jamaluddin astutely noted, would allow the PH-led government to redraw electoral boundaries, ensuring their dominance well into the next decade.
It’s not just about winning now; it’s about rigging the game for future victories. Imagine carving out more federal seats from PH strongholds—Puchong, Bangi, Seputeh—guaranteeing their support “till kingdom come,” as Khairy aptly puts it.
Of course, the opposition cries foul, predictably so. Muhyiddin calls it a defamation of the constitution, and Zaid proclaims democracy a mockery. Wan Saiful Wan Jan, with admirable consistency, bemoans the betrayal of principles Johari once championed.
But really, isn’t this just another day in Malaysian politics? Principles are as mutable as party allegiances, and power, as always, changes everything.
So here we are, watching this grand political theatre unfold, complete with heroes, villains, and a plot as convoluted as any Shakespearean play.
Anwar’s grand strategy to retain and expand his power base is nothing short of Machiavellian brilliance. The anti-hopping law, intended to curb political treachery, has become his instrument of consolidation. The opposition’s cries of foul play add the perfect touch of melodrama.
In this game of political chess, Anwar is playing several moves ahead, while his opponents are still trying to figure out if they are playing checkers. The anti-hopping law saga is just the latest chapter in this ongoing epic, and one can only wait with bated breath to see what plot twists lie ahead. In the meantime, democracy in Malaysia continues its tragicomic journey, with Anwar Ibrahim as its most skilled puppeteer.
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