Is the FPTP system solely to blame for the Sheraton Move?

Question

Accepted Answer

The First-Past-the-Post System is Not Solely to Blame for the Sheraton Move

The argument that Malaysia's first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system is the primary cause of the Pakatan Harapan government's collapse is not well-supported. While electoral systems can influence political dynamics, attributing the complex events of the "Sheraton Move" solely to FPTP overlooks other significant factors and misinterprets the potential outcomes of alternative systems. The FPTP system, rather than causing fragmentation, generally serves to curb it by encouraging pre-election coalitions.
Overconcentration of Power Not Necessarily Linked to FPTP

The claim that the overconcentration of executive power in the Prime Minister's office, a factor cited in the Anwar-Mahathir conflict, is a direct result of the FPTP system is debatable. While the absence of a term limit for the premiership is acknowledged as unrelated to FPTP, the concentration of executive authority itself is more plausibly linked to decades of authoritarian governance rather than the electoral mechanism. Similarly, the argument that FPTP necessitates coalition politics, thereby leading to the overconcentration of power within party leadership for candidate nominations (as seen in the Anwar-Azmin conflict), is also contested.
Proportional Representation Could Exacerbate Coalition Issues

Contrary to the assertion that a proportional representation (PR) system would resolve issues related to coalition politics and candidate nomination, it is argued that PR could in fact necessitate post-electoral coalition building. In the Malaysian context, PR systems tend to produce a wider spectrum of political representation without a clear majority, leading to potentially unstable coalitions formed after the election. This post-electoral negotiation process, as demonstrated by the "Sheraton Move," can be perceived as nerve-wracking and may result in a "stolen mandate" by voters.
FPTP Curbs Fragmentation, PR Could Encourage It

The assertion that intra-ethnic division among Malay parties, which allegedly led to UMNO, PAS, and Bersatu targeting DAP, is a consequence of the FPTP system's tendency to "curb fragmentation" is met with a counter-argument. While FPTP does indeed curb fragmentation, a PR system, by allowing smaller parties to win seats, is more likely to encourage fragmentation. This proliferation of parties, particularly within the Malay political landscape, could potentially worsen existing intra-ethnic divisions rather than alleviate them.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Is the FPTP system solely to blame for the Sheraton Move?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends