COMMENT | How long can any new government last?

COMMENT | Many Malaysian voters crave unity between parties. That craving is as admirable as that of European football fans demanding the 24 Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) Euro teams to stop their rough competition and enter a gentleman’s negotiation to decide how the championship may be peacefully shared.

As Malaysia’s failure in the Covid-19 pandemic and economic management has much to do with the power struggle within the government and between the government and the opposition, many put the blame on Muhyiddin Yassin for failing to unite the parties.

The solution then becomes simple and straightforward: let’s just get a new prime minister. Maybe Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein with Senior Minister Azmin Ali as his buddy can bring peace between Umno and Bersatu.

Maybe long-time Gua Musa MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah can unite Umno, Bersatu and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang). Or, maybe opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim can finally get his “strong, formidable and convincing numbers” by bringing Pakatan Harapan and Umno together.

For others, peace is possible not now but only after a new election, which must be called as soon as possible once the country attains herd immunity. How so? The assumption is that voters will return a clear winner and a stable Parliament, and of course, a new and stronger prime minister.

Are these realistic expectations or just wishful thinking? Let’s examine the facts...