By Samuel Chua (27 September 2022) PETALING JAYA: Coalition politics is better for Malaysia instead of a single multiracial party which, as a dominant party, would not be good for any democracy, according to Subang MP Wong Chen.
He said coalitions had always been part of Malaysia’s political history, as they provided the public with the freedom to choose the path they want.
A coalition of many parties was likely to happen because the north, south, east, and west regions of the peninsula, and Sabah and Sarawak, all had their own concerns.
“This is a wonderful thing about Malaysia. It makes us diverse and flexible in dealing with the world in terms of doing business with Indonesians, Indians and the Chinese. We have it all,” he told FMT.
Wong, a member of PKR’s leadership council, said coalition politics were likely to stay for decades to come.
“Race-based politics has to stop. This kind of crazy politics that demeans and lowers each of us in terms of values has to stop. Therefore, a multiracial platform of many parties is best,” he said.
He said it was important for other parties to believe in progressive ideas that focused on class rather than on race-based issues.
Wong also said a strong government might not be as useful as before, pointing out that weak governments are now being forced to deliver reforms in the country.
He said the memorandum of understanding signed between the government and Pakatan Harapan was proof that reforms were being implemented. “We need a very distinctive opposition and government. For me, a ‘mega government’ is not something in my mind. I don’t think that should happen.”
The call for a single multiracial party to be formed came from political author Lim Teck Ghee last week, who said such a party could be a gamechanger as politics was mired in racial and religious issues.
He also said the coalition party system had not worked, and would not work to unite Malaysians. Instead, coalition members should dissolve and set up a new single multiracial party.