Snap polls not favourable for Malaysians and economy

PUTRAJAYA: The current parliamentary term should run its full term until July next year as the guessing game on the dates of the 15th General Election serves as an inconvenience to voters and also potential foreign investors, says Sunway University political scientist Wong Chin Huat.

He said uncertainties on the dates of GE15 had caused many Malaysians not being able to plan their holidays with their families.

“If you’re a policeman, teacher, civil servant or even journalist, it will be difficult to plan weddings and holidays,” said Wong during the Malaysian Family Symposium at Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday.

He also said it was difficult for the government and its ministries to come up with long-term plans.

“This is also an inconvenience to investors because they don’t know when the government will change,” he added.

Wong said the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat should only take place under two conditions – if two-thirds (148) of MPs want early dissolution and if the present government were to lose its parliamentary majority.

“Otherwise, let this current parliamentary term finish, which means that the government should be given a chance to run its full term till July next year,” he said.

The current Parliament’s term ends in July 2023 but Umno has been pushing for GE15 to be held as soon as possible.

On Saturday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said GE15 should be held this year or Barisan Nasional could lose.

Ahmad Zahid reasoned that delays on GE15 would only give the coalition’s enemy ammunition to continue attacking it, and at present, the Opposition was too divided.

Earlier, in his remarks, Wong said the outcome of GE15 could see a hung parliament because “no coalition will be able to muster a confident majority in Parliament”.

“For any coalition to win a simple majority, they must win at least 100 out of 165 parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia.

“This might not happen, as what we saw in Melaka and Johor,” he said.

Barisan secured two-thirds majority in the Melaka state election last November and the Johor state election in March.

However, Wong said if the voter turnout were low, there was a possibility that a coalition could garner a simple majority.

“For example, if turnout is lower than 55%, there is a possibility that a coalition can win nearly 100 seats in Peninsular Malaysia or garner a simple majority across the country.

“But a low voter turnout means that the legitimacy of a government will be disputed,” he said.

During the Melaka polls, voter turnout was 65.85% and in Johor, 54.92%.