Veteran Malaysian lawmaker foresees hung Parliament in country's GE14

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has said a hung Parliament is a possible outcome of the 14th general election and this may result in a unity government.

However, such a government can only be led by a leader acceptable to both sides and a member of parliament with a proven record.

A hung Parliament happens when neither major bloc of parties have a majority of seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Gua Musang lawmaker pointed out that neither the ruling party nor the opposition would get enough support to form a government and it would lead to a unity government.

"I should like to mention that in my discussions and exchanges with friends and acquaintances, not a few have alluded to the possibility of a hung Parliament.

"This would mean that the voters are neither for returning the government of the day to office nor giving power to the coalition offering the alternative.

"This would mean that the voters want a non-divisive government, comprising all the political stakeholders, to be formed. This, if you will, is essentially a national unity government," said the politician, who is also affectionately known as Ku Li in Malaysia, during his speech at the G25 public forum on Saturday (Jan 27).

His remarks come as Pakatan Harapan, which has picked Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its choice for Prime Minister, prepares to mount a challenge to Barisan Nasional's hold on the Federal government at the 14th general election.

The four member pact has also apportioned the Federal seats for the 165 parliament seats in the peninsular Malaysia

Under the arrangement, Bersatu contests 52 seats, PKR 51, DAP 35 while Parti Amanah Negara will contest the remaining 27.

The veteran Umno politician said if a unified government is formed, a leader with credibility should be selected.

The veteran Umno politician said if a unity government is formed, a leader with credibility should be selected.

"In such a scenario, where all parties need to come together, the executive branch must be led by a politician acceptable to both sides of the aisle of the Dewan Rakyat. Given the present national economic position, that person needs to be an MP with a proven record," he said.

Ku Li, who has served as Gua Musang MP for 45 years, did not name a possible candidate.

He also said that both sides should not resort to forming a government through defections.

He said buying over support from the other side to prevent a hung parliament would not sit well with the electorate.

"I should add that buying MPs to cross the aisle to create a simple majority is an insult to the voters.

"If (voters) had wanted a particular party to form the government, they would have voted that party in with at least a simple majority, he said.

Malaysia has never seen a federal level hung parliament, but the 2008 crisis in Perak led to assemblymen swapping sides to ensure a Barisan Nasional victory in the state. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT