Pakatan inches closer to majority

PETALING JAYA: The recent wave of Umno lawmakers quitting the party is seen as a step towards Pakatan Harapan realising a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat. This will give the ruling coalition much needed strength to initiate institutional reforms.

Constitutional expert Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman said there was a likelihood of Pakatan securing the two-thirds majority if lawmakers who had quit their parties crossed over or became Pakatan-friendly.

Dr Mohammad, who sits on the Electoral Reform Committee, said the committee was initially pessimistic that Pakatan would be able to go ahead with its reforms.

“Constitutional amendments were needed and this could only be done with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. It looks like we may be getting there,” he said.

He noted that PKR, which is now the largest party in Parliament with 50 seats, might become more assertive in jostling for greater say within the Pakatan government.

“However, PKR is part of the Pakatan coalition and will still have to consult with their partners,” he added.

On fears that more Umno lawmakers quitting would result in a weaker opposition voice in Parliament, Dr Mohammad said this might not be the case.

“We will gradually see more mature politics being practised, where lawmakers from the ruling government will also speak out against issues such as what happened with Icerd (International Convention on the Elimi­nation of All Forms of Racial Discrimination),” he said.

Constitutional lawyer Syahredzan Johan said there were both positive and negative implications with regards to the crossovers.

“For constitutional reforms, this may be a positive development as it means the government is closer to getting two-thirds majority.

“But the other aspect is that the opposition’s strength in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara has been significantly weakened.

“This does not auger well for democracy,” he said when contacted.

Syahredzan added that it would be ideal if lawmakers quitting their parties were not allowed to cross over to parties within the ruling government.

“They should be allowed to remain independent so that they can support or oppose Bills and issues as their electorates see fit,” he said.

Political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the number of opposition MPs in Parliament might shrink further in the coming weeks.

“We need a strong check and balance,” he said. “But if all decide to become friendly towards Pakatan, that will allow the ruling coalition to have two-thirds majority, which is pertinent to amend or bring changes in certain issues.”