Malaysia’s third force: Why independents could hold the balance

V Thomas

The Pakatan Harapan-led ‘unity government’ has begun fraying at the edges.

Umno has decided to contest the Johor state election alone, instead of teaming up with PH.

Prominent politicians Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi have quit PKR, a PH component, to lead the Bersama party.

Both moves have destabilised the political situation.

There are strong signs the next general election will be wide open, with many parties and personalities in contention. Countless issues facing the parties will make campaigning even messier.

For the first time, there is a real chance for a strong ‘third force’ of independent MPs to emerge as a pressure group.

Malaysia already has a good number of popular figures who have stepped in on issues affecting the country, whether political, socioeconomic, ethnic or religious.

Whether they are politicians, NGO leaders or community figures, this group has spent recent years building popularity and influence. Some of them have won public support by championing causes the two main coalitions often mismanage or ignore.

The case for independents

With so many socioeconomic, ethnic and religious issues dividing the nation, this group has become a voice of reason, helping calm tensions rather than let them worsen.

Many ordinary people like these independent voices for their reasonable, unbiased and alternative views. Should they contest the coming general election, they stand a real chance of winning, especially in urban, multi-ethnic seats along the west coast of the peninsula.

Some of these independents have built good relationships with the media, the corporate sector and the public.

But contrary to what many supporters may want, this group should not form a ‘third force’ political party. It should remain a loose coalition of independents fighting for shared causes.

Forming a party would tie them down. They could end up no different from the two coalitions already in place – one in government, one in opposition.

Staying out of a formal coalition gives them the freedom to take independent, reasonable stances for the good of society. Rigid party lines, where leaders and MPs are not free to voice their own views, are part of why the country’s situation has worsened in recent years. Old and new parties alike still toe the party line.

It is time to try something different by supporting independent MPs.

There are numerous capable, proven leaders, such as Ambiga Sreenevasan, Zaid Malek, Awtar Singh, N Surendran, Siti Kasim, Arun Doraisamy and Latheefa Koya.

In fact, many of these personalities are better known than plenty of government and opposition politicians.

A path to real influence

Malaysia is going through never-ending controversies, disputes and polemics. A reasonable number of elected independent MPs – around 20 – should be enough to counter the racial and religious rhetoric destabilising society.

Smaller parties could lend their support to these independents too. Other quarters could help fund their campaigns.

These prominent individuals need to team up and get ready now, since the general election could be called at any time this year or early next year.

This group of around 20 candidates could contest urban, multiracial seats, where voters tend to be more discerning. They would stand a decent chance in urban seats in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Penang, despite facing the strong machinery of PH, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.

With about 20 MPs, these independents could become a real force. Working together, they could counter both the government and the opposition, pushing back against the divisive, ethnically and religiously charged rhetoric now spiralling out of control.

Their clout as MPs would put them in a strong position to challenge the government and help stop the country sliding into chaos.

Political parties and MPs have broken election promises before. So people should give these independents a chance to represent them and serve the country well.

In a hung parliament or under a minority government, independents could pressure both sides. That is where the power of a third force of independents could truly be felt – for the good of the country.

V Thomas is a regular reader of Aliran.

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