KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 19): The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) today urged the opposition coalition to form a functioning shadow cabinet and shift their focus to policy-driven solutions that will help solve Malaysia’s problems.

The call came as it noted that months of political uncertainty have increased fragmentation and instability in both the government and opposition.

"The recent Budget session has proven that the Prime Minister only has a majority of three MPs, which indicates a fragile government prone to defections. Meanwhile, the opposition’s failure to unite and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s constant efforts to secure the numbers needed to gain the premiership have left little room for genuine reforms to be proposed by them.

"In order for the opposition to function effectively, IDEAS urges them to shift their focus to policy-driven solutions to Malaysia’s problems and to form a functioning shadow cabinet," Aira Azhari, IDEAS manager for the Democracy and Governance Unit, said in a statement.

Last Tuesday, Malaysia’s proposed Budget 2021 was passed in the final approval stage in the Dewan Rakyat as the opposition failed in its attempt to thwart the supply bill. The vote ended with 111 Members of Parliament (MPs) in favour and 108 MPs voted against, with one MP marked absent. A budget defeat would have been seen as a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's administration, and could have triggered snap polls.

“This year is the first time in many years that the PH as opposition did not present a shadow budget. Only when the opposition proposes concrete policy ideas that uplift the wellbeing of the rakyat will they start gaining back the public’s trust. Although divisions are a character of multiparty democracies, it is only when these divisions are productive, policy-driven and provide solutions for the people, will the opposition’s credibility be truly tested.

“The opposition itself is an important institution that provides checks and balances to government decisions, and it is more important than ever for them to play that role now,” said Aira.

According to IDEAS, the shadow cabinet must have at least one opposition MP shadowing each ministry, who can develop counter proposals, for example, a shadow budget.

The opposition should also constantly develop policy ideas to tackle unemployment, rejuvenate the economy, enhance good governance and control Covid-19, it said.

In the long run, IDEAS said the government’s slim majority needs to be tested through a general election. As Covid-19 cases continue to soar, focus must also be on the ways in which elections can be conducted safely and in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), it noted.

“The eventuality of a general election is a strong signal for the Election Commission and all stakeholders to prepare for voting during a pandemic, as has been done in many other democracies. The government’s razor-thin majority will only prolong the instability we currently face, thus the mandate should be returned to the Malaysian people to decide their next government,” Aira added.