The right to rule is legitimacy

All this while I have restrained myself from commenting on the Perak political crisis.

For one, there have been lots of analysis and commentaries, both in the conventional or new media either for or against the BN.

But this week, I have finally decided to pen my thoughts on the on-going political saga in this state which I must say is shot to fame all but for the wrong reason.

March 8 general election is well over a year ago now and one thing for sure is that the PR was legitimately elected by the people of Perak to rule the state.

But the legitimacy was dealt with a harsh reality of party hopping when the PR state government woke up one fine day only to find that its mere one year old government was short-lived and robbed.

The despised act of three state assemblymen to become independents created a ruckus in the state when PR was robbed of its legitimacy as the rightful choice of state government.

With both the BN and PR holding to 28 seats each in the State Legislative Assembly with the three independents friendly to the BN, the mayhem eventually begin.

Yeah, remember the hype of the September 16 takeover plan by the PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last year?

I see the logic on the side of the BN in the coup against the PR akin to the Chinese saying- “you celebrate the first day and I’ll celebrate the 15th.”

Well, who says two wrongs make it a right and I beg to differ gentlemen.

The fracas in the Perak State Legislative Assembly a couple of days ago has become a worldwide laughing stock.

There was not any sitting at all literally on May 7 as the lawmakers from both sides were “standing” throughout the session which is seen to be more like a circus in play.

And now there is this deadlock in the argument on who is the rightful Mentri Besar of Perak and the legal tussle in this case is yet to end any sooner I predict.

To end this fiasco, I join the chorus of many people out there in the like of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, the Bar Council and even the Senate President, Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh that the best solution is to dissolve the state assembly to pave way for a snap poll.

Going back to the people will be the only way to solve the crisis which has reared its ugly head and no one, including both parties are benefitting from this stalemate which has drained out the energy of everyone, including the general public whom has grown tired of immense politicking.

The PR which has been calling for the dissolution is playing its card right by championing the right of the people to elect the government.

With Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becoming the Prime Minister just not long ago, the Perak crisis I strongly believe has tainted his image in the eye of the people.

Blatant disregard of the rule of law and separation of powers will erode the people’s confidence with the government of the day.

If this is not corrected immediately, what the BN can expect will be more bruises in the next general election as people will vote overwhelmingly for the PR.

There could even be a change of government if BN continues to be so arrogant with its approach without executing the change which has become nothing but a mere slogan.

While the damage is already done in Perak, it is still not too late to remedy the political mayhem and bring back the normalcy to the political landscape in the state.

Going back to the people via a fresh poll is the only way to solve the saga as legitimacy is of paramount importance in this case.

Ruling without legitimacy is akin to giving birth to a child out of wedlock.

The Perak crisis will definitely be an issue in the yet another by-election in Penanti end of this month and the PR will be out to prove a point that it is gaining popularity or even sympathy from the people.

Legitimacy is what it takes to rule and respect must be earned from the people.

Dissolving the Perak State Legislative Assembly and going back to the people is the only way to legitimise the rightful Mentri Besar, the Speaker and the State Government.