Why politicians are sworn in at 3am: Understanding Malaysia’s political reality
Anything was possible in politics and questions of ideology or struggle were often set aside as long as a government can be formed and power can be secured.
SHAH ALAM – Malaysia’s evolving political landscape has entered an era where no single party can secure power on its own, making rushed coalition-building and late-night swearing-ins an expected consequence rather than an anomaly.
For young voters trying to make sense of early-morning ceremonies like Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s 3.05am swearing-in, the scene can seem bewildering, but experts said there was a method to the madness.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Communication and Media Studies professor Datuk Dr Ismail Sualman said such political manoeuvres were a normal part of coalition-building.
“The results were already expected, with no political party securing a simple majority. Therefore, once the results were announced, new alignments and coalitions emerged to form a governing partnership in Sabah.
“It is not unusual for any party that successfully forms a coalition and quickly obtains a majority to refer to the Governor in order to become the government and have the Chief Minister appointed; this is a normal procedure,” he said when contacted.
Ismail highlighted that politics was inherently dynamic.
He said anything was possible in politics, noting that questions of ideology or struggle were often set aside as long as a government can be formed and power can be secured. Ismail said parties that may be adversaries at one moment can come together again in the name of serving the people.
“This is the new political reality in Malaysia,” he added.
Ismail also reminded young voters to stay informed, stressing the need for them to obtain up-to-date information and understand the laws and regulations related to politics and elections.
Meanwhile, political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun said the rush was tied directly to Malaysia’s Westminster system where a leader must command a majority at all times.
He said coalition talks were now frantic because no side can win an outright majority anymore.
“But nowadays no side could win an outright majority in an election, thus necessitating the formation of a coalition government,” he told Sinar Daily.
Oh explained that once the numbers were secured, the immediate priority was to formalise it before the coalition partners change their minds.
“So there is this rush to forge a majority and be sworn in soonest, before coalition partners change their minds,” he added.
He said even a rapid swearing-in does not ensure the viability of the government, as parties and independent elected representatives can still change their allegiances.
He added that political instability was likely to remain a recurring feature for Malaysians.
“So everybody would just have to brace themselves for such frequent changes of government in the future,” he said.
He highlighted the future fix may lie in a different electoral system altogether.
“A workable solution would have the executive branch of government be elected directly by the voters and separate from the legislature, with fixed terms. But that would require a constitutional amendment,” he said.
Hajiji, who retained the Sulaman seat, took the oath before Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman following the formation of a coalition government between GRS, Upko, Pakatan Harapan and five Independents.
The coalition secured 37 seats in the 73-seat assembly, while Warisan won 25 seats and the remaining parties shared the rest.
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