Public seeks political stability

Malaysia's current political landscape is characterized by a lack of stable structures, contrasting sharply with the long-standing Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, writes Jamal Rafaie Jakiran. He notes that while internal conflicts and power struggles are common in politics, recent coalitions have fragmented quickly, unlike BN, which endured for over 60 years.

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In politics, quarrels and power struggles are normal. Any coalition of parties will have internal conflicts, ego wars, backstabbing, and power struggles. That is the nature of politics.

Jakiran attributes BN's longevity to its clear and comprehensive structure, where component parties like UMNO, MCA, and MIC represented specific ethnic groups, and leadership hierarchies were well-defined. The traditional role of the UMNO President as BN Chairman, and potential Prime Minister if BN formed the government, provided clarity. This structure, he argues, allowed parties to understand their roles and maintain cohesion despite internal disagreements.

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But the question is, why has a new political coalition started to become chaotic after just one term, whereas Barisan Nasional was able to last for over 60 years?

In contrast, today's coalitions, such as Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), exhibit murkier structures. Jakiran questions the post-Anwar Ibrahim leadership within PH, asking whether PKR, DAP, or Amanah would take the helm. He finds PN's hierarchy peculiar, with its Chairman being a Pas Vice-President while presidents of other component parties serve as Deputy Chairmen.

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The answer is because BN has a clear and complete structure. BN was not just a coalition to win elections. BN was built with a structured system.

The author suggests that Malaysians are growing weary of constant political bickering and shifting alliances. This fatigue, he believes, fosters a longing for a more stable and less chaotic political environment, reminiscent of past eras. In a world facing economic uncertainty, rising living costs, and intense regional competition, political stability is crucial for attracting foreign investment. Jakiran implies that, despite its imperfections, BN's proven ability to provide stability might be what the nation needs again.

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In reality, when people are too tired of fighting, they will eventually long for stability. Just like people today sometimes miss the old days. Miss the atmosphere that was calmer, more stable, and less chaotic.