Election poses no hurdles to governance

OPINION: Election poses no hurdles to governance
NST - 14 March 2008

AFTER the stunning results of the 12th general election, many people are wondering what is in store for the Constitution, for parliament, for federal-state relations and for the special privileges of the Malays.

The Barisan Nasional has secured 140 of 222 seats, or 63 per cent support, in the Dewan Rakyat. By Malaysian standards, this is the lowest ever. But the loss of a two-thirds majority is not unprecedented. There was a similar position after the 1969 electoral battle. The Alliance won only 49 per cent of the popular vote and 66 per cent of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

This time around it has more than 50 per cent of the popular vote and 63 per cent of the seats. It has 28 extra MPs above the 112 majority and is only eight short of a two-thirds majority.

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