PETALING JAYA, July 26: Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the opposition bloc should focus on facing the next general election instead of trying to obtain the support of enought MPs to regain power in the federal government, say two political analysts.
They said it is better to “just wait and prepare for a snap election”, instead of relying on MPs’ defections.
Azmi Hassan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin now had the upper hand. “I see the PM now has the advantage of gaining more support from opposition MPs, instead of the other way round where Tun M is getting support from PN-aligned MPs,” he said.
“Tun has nothing to offer,” Azmi added.
On Saturday, Mahathir told reporters in Langkawi that the opposition was short of a few MPs to form the government. He said the opposition’s intention was to take back Putrajaya.
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said there will be “offers” made to entice the other party to jump ship.
“For me it is better to wait for the GE and seek a fresh mandate,” he added. However, the opposition should be united if they want to regain power.
“They need to take note of one thing – the public would not accept him (Mahathir) for the third time if the opposition ever wins,” he said.
Mahathir resigned as prime minister after MPs from Umno, PAS, PPBM and some from PKR had gathered at a political meeting in a hotel that was dubbed the “Sheraton move”.
Muhyiddin was later sworn in as prime minister on March 1, following what has been described as the longest week in Malaysian politics.
