LET PROFESSIONALISED POLITICS RESTORE STABILITY AND CONFIDENCE – MADIUS

KOTA KINABALU: Politicians and parties should compete to offer better policies and delivery as Malaysians brace for the pandemic and recession in 2021.

This, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau said, would always ensure that the people remain as the top priority despite whichever parties win and lose.

“The year 2020 has caused many Malaysians to be confused, frustrated, and disillusioned with multiparty competition and even democracy.

“On the surface, this is caused by fluid and unpredictable realignment of coalitions and defection of lawmakers. As allies become enemies and enemies become allies, voters do not know what to believe in what politicians tell them.

“At a deeper level, voters feel that democracy is becoming meaningless when power struggles between political elites do not benefit ordinary citizens,” he said in a statement here, Thursday.

Madius who is also the president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) stressed that loss of faith in democracy among voters is dangerous which in turn may lead to support for authoritarianism.

“Alternatively, they may not rise up to resist coup attempts. Lastly, comes the 15th General Election (GE15), they may simply vote for some outsider politicians riding on hatred and bigotry like Trump. Or they may simply stay at home on polling day,” he said.

He also called upon the government and the official opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) to negotiate for a 2021 'modus vivendi' – entailed in five parts – which he classified as a ceasefire for co-existence that both the government and opposition can do their best professionally before fighting against each other.

This modus vivendi may entail five parts:

1. No federal or state election except for Sarawak's state election which can be held as late as August 5, 2021.

2. Parliamentary/Legislative reforms to allow meaningful roles in law-making and policy-shaping for both opposition lawmakers and government backbenchers.

3. Formal recognition of Shadow Cabinet at both the federal and state levels.

4. Equitable Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for all government and opposition lawmakers.

5. Preparation for free and fair GE15 and state elections which must include facilities for extensive absentee voting and digital campaigning necessary for elections under pandemic.

According to Madius, such a modus vivendi will allow the government to focus its energy on managing the pandemic and the economy and also enable the opposition to provide effective legislative oversight.

“This will deliver real political stability and democratic accountability that Malaysia needs the most to remedy political fatigue, restore business confidence and improve its credit rating,” he stated, also urging Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Parliamentary Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to consider the suggestions.

He also called upon all PH Plus Parties to have a candid and inclusive discussion to build an Opposition strong in policies, not just ambition.

“We must not waste more time in waiting. Malaysia needs professionalised politics, not fake unity. Let's make it work for a hopeful 2021.”