Lawyers warn of haste, lack of convention in post-GE rush to form new govt.

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However, Yusmaidi said given the coalition’s seat numbers, the palace should allow PH the room to form the next government or a minority one.

GEORGE TOWN – Two senior lawyers here are expressing concern about the manner in which political coalitions are being asked to negotiate and gather enough MPs to form a new government, following the lack of a clear winner in the 15th general election (GE15).

As Pakatan Harapan (PH) won the most seats, at 82 (including Muda), the coalition’s chairman should be invited by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for an audience, lawyers Mohd Yusmaidi Yusoff and S. Raveentharan said.

This is in accordance with the convention under the Westminster system of democratic parliamentary governance that Malaysia practices as a Commonwealth country, both of them told The Vibes.

The two, who are also former elected representatives, said the Westminster system would normally see the coalition or party with the highest number of seats given the first choice to form a new government.

This is in the event after an election when no party or coalition secures a simple majority.

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