COMMENT | Making a mess out of politics

COMMENT | The political scene in Malaysia will be very messy if elected representatives, at federal or state level, were to squabble incessantly over who commands the majority of seats in Parliament or the state legislative assembly.

Every time a political crisis erupts as a result of this bickering, the government cannot function effectively which, in turn, will have a crippling effect on economic growth.

Eventually, political turmoil combined with economic decline will create widespread social unrest, which can be inimical to the overall health of the country.

Invariably, trouble starts when the "number game" keeps changing, with each side claiming it has the numbers to form a government. When they hit a dead-end, there are two options left: either a neutral party steps in and call both sides to a meeting or the law-making body can be dissolved and a fresh election called...