Do we need a backdoor government? Absolutely not!

Those who stole the government have not yet explained why they needed to take over a duly elected democratic government, P Ramakrishnan writes.

Before the general elections, every political party will come out with a manifesto, which spells out their programme for the country and how the voters will benefit by electing them. The manifesto will contain a brief summary of what to expect in electing a particular political party.

During the campaign, the party leaders will elaborate, explain and clarify in detail and in simple terms what their promises and pledges are for the country and voters.

Based on this premise, voters cast their votes and elect a government to run the affairs of the country. When the voters cast their votes, they know exactly what they want and need. Thus, a legitimate government is elected.

This transparent process reveals for all to see and understand which party has secured the majority of votes and how many parliamentarians have been elected for each party.

This electoral participation forms the basis for a particular party with the majority of MPs to be called upon to form the government.

This is how a democratic government enjoying electoral legitimacy is duly elected to run the country.

But in the case of the backdoor government, it was not elected by the voters to run the country. It stole a government without a popular mandate – or the mandate of the people.

The so-called majority that they claimed to have had to form the government is still in question. It is so because the names of MPs supporting the backdoor government had not been publicly disclosed.

They had adamantly refused to convene a parliamentary session, despite repeated calls following their backdoor takeover of a duly elected government, to confirm their support which would have put to rest the lurking question of doubt about their so-called majority. Their refusal to convene Parliament only enhances this suspicion of their legitimacy.

The people of Malaysia did not vote for a coalition comprising the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN), Pas and Bersatu to form the government.

In fact, the Umno-led BN was soundly rejected by the electorate, and many standing under its banner were trounced and thrashed in the general election on 9 May 2018. The Umno-led BN lost the federal and many state governments.

What Malaysians voted for was the coalition under Pakatan Harapan.

The plotters in this treachery subverted and frustrated the voters’ choice and perverted the democratic process. They had shamelessly foisted themselves upon a reluctant electorate that does not need them or accept them.

The electorate doesn’t know what this backdoor government stands for. They had not gone to the voters to explain their programme or appeal to them why they need to be given a chance to form the government. Malaysians don’t know what this backdoor government stands for.

The traitors who stole the government have yet to explain why they needed to take over a duly elected democratic government. To this day, it remains a mystery.

These unscrupulous politicians have neither cared to paint a rosy picture for the voters, nor promised a bright future for the country with this takeover. Their subsequent conduct seems to suggest their greed for power and the endless opportunity available to enrich themselves – which will form material for another article on another occasion.

We can only ask them why the need to take over the government through unethical means. What is the necessity?

Let us be reminded of this saying [by the historian Thucydides], “Love of power, operating through greed and through personal ambition, was the cause of all these evils.”

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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