Najib Turns the Tables on Pakatan’s Question Time Attack

In the first week of the new Parliament we have observed three great traditions of Westminster Parliamentary democracy: The swearing in ceremony, the King's speech and the first question and answer session.

It is the latter which provides the most excitement because only this institution, otherwise called questions without notice, gives the Opposition the chance to score points off the Government and that's exactly what Pakatan Rakyat tried to do Wednesday.

Led by Opposition leader in the house Lim Kit Siang (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains the named Opposition Leader), it accused the Government of "race-baiting and Chinese bashing" alleging that this undermined Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's call for reconciliation in the wake of the fractious poll.

But Najib was having none of it, pointing out that the first step towards mending fences and moving forward is to deal with the past. For Pakatan Rakyat, that means accepting the result of GE13.

"As long as (you reject the results), national reconciliation can never happen. Accepting the general election results is the core of national reconciliation," Najib said.

This doubtless put Kit Siang in his place and gives the DAP elder statesman something to think about because he long ago accepted the election result, as have most MPs in DAP, PAS and even PKR.

But Pakatan Rakyat's glorious leader Anwar is the fly in the ointment. By steadfastly refusing to accept GE13, promising more 505 rallies, calling for mass resignations at the EC and calling for fresh by-elections in at least 60 seats, he is not only showing himself to be sulky and childish, but he is now undermining the performance of his own coalition in the Dewan Rakyat.

It is Anwar's position that blunted Lim Kit Siang's attack.

Gombak MP Azmin Ali then tried another tack. He asked the PM what the Government is doing to tackle "irregularities" in the election system. Najib answered by reminding him that he should make specific allegations based on evidence – if he has any. To broadly allege "irregularities" without making a specific charge amounts to an abuse of parliamentary privilege.

On that count Najib let Azmin off lightly. He could also have also reminded him that the Election Commission is to be reformed via a Parliamentary committee that will convene with the involvement of Azmin's own party, giving him and his colleagues a real voice in this important reform process.

This question and answer session should serve as a warning to Pakatan Rakyat. As long as Anwar remains detached from the proper role of parliamentary Opposition while he harps on about GE13, his colleagues in Pakatan Rakyat will be less effective in the house. And this isn't just about whether they can attack the Government, but how they can provide constructive opposition that benefits the nation.

The Opposition needs to move on if we are to get away from divisive politics and it needs to start with Anwar.