WITH speculation mounting over an impending election, political alignments and possible post-election coalitions are expected to play a key role in determining the formation of government, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Responding to questions on Pakatan Harapan’s positioning, including talk that the coalition could secure 24 out of 40 seats in a worst-case scenario, Chow said electoral outcomes must be understood within the realities of political arithmetic.
The question was raised to Chow based on a recent news report by an English daily.
“I mean, the election is also sort of a number game, so you are looking at the probably worst-case scenario,” he said.
When the question was repeated, he simply replied, “Worst-case scenario.”
On whether new political alliances could emerge after the polls, Chow said it was still too early to make firm predictions, but acknowledged that coalition-building is a likely outcome in the current political environment.
“It is too early to say because now every political party or every political coalition will have to consider the fact that no single party or single coalition may be able to form the government.
“So, it is likely that a post-election coalition is also likely to happen. Post-election result,” he said.
Asked about his own political future in Batu Kawan, Chow stressed that any decision on candidacy or positioning would be made by the party leadership.
“This will be decided by the party,” he said, adding, “The party will decide for me.”