PETALING JAYA: The abrupt resignations of the Pandan and Setiawangsa lawmakers have not only undermined public trust in elected representatives but also left them feeling “shortchanged”, say political analysts.
Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar of International Islamic University Malaysia said the move had left constituents at a disadvantage in terms of parliamentary representation.
“Pandan and Setiawangsa voters are shortchanged because now they don’t have a voice in that branch of government,” said the political analyst.
While constituency services and local complaints could still be channelled through government agencies or other elected representatives, Tunku Mohar said the symbolic and democratic implications were significant.
“From a governance and political stability perspective, they should have remained in office until the dissolution of Parliament,” he said.
Tunku Mohar added that while the unity government remained stable, the resignations had placed Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s political calculations under greater public scrutiny.
“This is a political decision, but it sends the wrong message to their voters. The people may be thinking what guarantee is there that they’ll represent them in Parliament effectively if they are to be elected again,” he said.
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi announced their takeover of Parti Bersama Malaysia on Sunday, and had vacated their Pandan and Setiawangsa parliamentary seats respectively.
Their move sparked debate over whether they should have remained in office until the end of this parliamentary term, which is end of 2027.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said government services would continue functioning normally in both constituencies but resignations nevertheless carried serious political implications.
“The voters may be disappointed with their elected representatives resigning before the end of their term.
“This seems to disrespect the decision of the voters who have given their trust by electing them,” he said.
Mazlan said that if Parliament only dissolves in January 2028, constituents in Pandan and Setiawangsa could effectively lose the services of elected representatives for about one year and eight months.
“This may cause voters to reject the characteristics of elected representatives such as the former members of Parliament for Pandan and Setiawangsa in the future,” he added.
From a governance and political stability standpoint, Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said it would have been politically manageable for both leaders to remain in office until the end of the parliamentary term, especially considering the unity government is still navigating economic adjustments.
He said constituents are still represented institutionally through parliamentary structures, party service networks, and if applicable any successor (caretaker) arrangements within the coalition or party machinery.
“Politically, however, public trust depends less on procedure and more on perception. Voters generally expect elected representatives to fulfil the mandate given to them for the duration of the term unless prevented by serious circumstances.
“When high-profile leaders step away early, some voters may feel disappointed or politically fatigued, especially younger urban voters who placed strong expectations on reform-oriented leadership,” he added.
