Political upheavals not only have a negative bearing on administrative powers but also the already anemic national economy.

The political earthquake unraveled last Sunday. It was said that pro-Azmin PKR reps, PAS, Umno, PPBM, Warisan and GPS would work together to form a "unity government" to replace Pakatan Harapan.

The subsequent developments have caught many off guard. Azmin et al left PKR, PPBM drew out of the PH coalition, Mahathir resigned as PM and then appointed caretaker PM.

Things have yet to clear out at this very moment. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is seeing all the 222 Members of Parliament on Tuesday and Wednesday in order to find out who has the most support to become the country's next prime minister. Meanwhile, DPM, ministers and deputy ministers have all lost their jobs, and the country is in a no-government state, which is not a good thing for the country's day-to-day operations.

Political instability has had a negative impact on the country's economy, severely battering market sentiment. The local stock market dipped below the 1,500-point psychological level to an eight-year low, while ringgit slipped by 0.8% to 4.22 against the greenback.

There are signs the country's economy is heading south. Last year's GDP growth stood at only 4.3%, poorer than anticipated and the worst since the regional financial crisis in 2009.

The current coronavirus outbreak, meanwhile, is dealing a heavy blow on global economy, including Malaysia's. The sudden eruption of the "power game" in Malaysian politics in the midst of such unfavorable conditions will further dampen the market and impede our progress towards a healthy economic recovery.

In order to stimulate the national economy and to help local businesses cope with the current downturn, the PH government planned to introduce a stimulus package tomorrow. Unfortunately, with the country's political prospects still murky at this moment, this package will have to be shelved for the time being.

Many local businesses are struggling to make ends meet under the weight of the coronavirus outbreak. They badly need the government's assistance in the form of a stimulus plan to boost the sluggish economy. Many countries have done the same to deal with the impact of COVID-19. We are way behind others because of political uncertainties.

The most important thing now is to put up a new government as soon as possible in order to put things back on the track again and prevent further losses to the national economy.

Of course the new government must be one that puts the people first and will come up with a truly effective stimulus package to take the country out of the current doldrums.