MB crisis: A test for parliamentary democracy

The majority parties must decide on their nominee to be the head of government to prevent the collapse of our parliamentary democracy.

PETALING JAYA: Maria Chin Abdullah, Chairman of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) warned that as elections ceased to be meaningful, a prolonged power struggle among the parties might destabilise the nation.

In a media statement, Maria reminded all parties that, “What is at stake in the Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) crisis is not about who is the best candidate for the chief executive’s office” but whether our parliamentary democracy which forms the basis of our constitutional monarchy can continue to function.

She explained that the Westminster parliamentary system functions with a straightforward chain of responsibility between Electorate, Legislature and Executive to ensure a responsible government.

“The competence or suitability of the head of government and his/her ministers is to be objectively decided by popularity in the House, not by any subjective assessment by any unelected institution,” said Maria.

“If the MB is decided by an unelected institution and not by the majority party/coalition in the elected legislature, then not only will Selangor not have a State government fully responsible to the state assembly, the nation’s future after the 14th General Elections will be uncertain,” she warned.

Maria said that it was the Sultan’s constitutional duty to appoint the MB in accordance to the Selangor State Constitution which stipulates that any assembly-person must “command the confidence of the majority of the members of the assembly”.

“We remain hopeful that the Sultan will act constitutionally to appoint as the new MB Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who enjoys the support of 30 state assemblypersons – an unquestionable majority in the 56-seat Selangor state assembly.

“Changing the rules will undoubtedly prolong and worsen the constitutional crisis, and hurt every party’s long-term interests,” stated Maria.