The prerogative power stands for the King to decide the best route for the country in resolving the political mess based on the advice of the PM as provided in the Constitution

by RAHIMI YUNUS / pic by BERNAMA

A SNAP election is possible to resolve the political impasse in Malaysia if there is major a rejection on the proposed non-partisan government by interim Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir has broken his silence yesterday, saying in a national address that he will be working to establish “an administration that is not favoured to any party but only the nation’s interest, if permitted”.

The prerogative power stands for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to decide the best route for the country in resolving the political mess based on the advice of the PM as provided in the Constitution.

Political analyst Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid said a non-partisan administration — also known as a unity government or a grand coalition — is normally temporary and for a specific instance such as during a state of emergency.

“It is not a permanent arrangement in some countries. Different parties have different ideologies and support bases. It is usually a temporary arrangement during critical situations such as war or pandemic. But we have not reached that per se,” Ahmad Fauzi told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) yesterday.

Ahmad Fauzi also said such a government will be bound by cooperation and agreement between all political parties to make it work — which still looked fragile and arguably divisive at this point.

“At the moment, political leaders are not giving such a thought of serious attention. I do not know to what extent they would be receptive to this idea, bearing in mind the past backstabbing, media demonisation that have resulted in a lot of vilification or condemnation,” he added.

The political analyst raised questions on the prospect of party leaders approving their members to be in the unity Cabinet line-up when Dr Mahathir hand-picked the particular individuals.

“All these political groups or subgroups have talented people. For instance, if Dr Mahathir wants to pick Khairy Jamaluddin, would Umno president Datuk Seri Dr

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi allow that? “Let see whether such talents can get approval from their own party leaders before participating in Dr Mahathir’s scheme. At the current intensity of the political development, one would have doubted the acceptance toward Dr Mahathir’s suggestion. He cannot force them,” he said.

Pakatan Harapan announced yesterday that the coalition is naming PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the PM candidate. The coalition has 92 seats.

On Dr Mahathir’s side, the postulation of supports from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Parti Warisan Sabah, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s bloc would account for about 64 seats.

Political analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain told TMR that a fresh election would be a better option if no party is able to garner clear sufficient seats.

“In my opinion, it is better for us to have a snap election and why so worry when the Constitution provides that. I think the sooner the better it is to get the mandate from the people or otherwise the government will keep rolling with the existing ones and it may eventually lose the support from the people,” he told TMR.

Ahmad Atory said the matter of cost should not be an issue because there is an allocation for that and the priority is to regain the trust and confidence from the people.