PARTIES in Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government must continue to build on their newly forged alliance and put aside their differences for national stability, observers said.

Pundits said this while noting that the new administration is far more likely to last than the previous ones led by Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the components have made clear their intention to back the prime minister for a full term.

Their comments come after the newly minted unity government made its debut as a unit in the Dewan Rakyat over the last two days – ensuring a motion of confidence in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim carried and the election of speaker and deputy speakers went smoothly.

They noted the first signs were positive and all they had to do in the coming days is continue building on their alliance.

Last week, the unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together.

Among the deal’s key points was a clause requiring all parties in the government to support the Anwar administration in all motions in the Dewan Rakyat. Any MP who votes against Anwar’s leadership or bills tabled by the government will automatically be deemed to have quit his seat.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said the parties must set aside their individual goals and interests for the sake of nation-building.

As varying personal interests would certainly be a problem for the unity government in the future, the analyst said Anwar was right to set up a council for consultation and mediation between the components.

“In inking the MOU, the parties have agreed that any differences will be discussed by a council set up by the unity government,” he said.

“All parties have no choice but to put national interest first.”

Anwar passed his first test as the prime minister after winning a confidence vote to lead the country.

The motion was passed through a voice vote with backbenchers shouting out their support for the leader.

The opposition remained silent and did not ask for the votes to be counted.

Anwar had pledged that a confidence motion would be the first order of business when parliament convened for its first meeting.

The debate preceding the vote had proved boisterous.

The backbenchers’ recurring point was that the unity government wished to legitimise its power by proving had the numbers in the House.

However, the opposition had questioned the validity of the agreement signed by the coalition partners.

Perikatan Nasional’s Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan said the deal was a direct violation of article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech, and article 63(2), which provides that no MP shall be liable to any court proceedings in respect of anything said in the House.

Academic Mazlan Ali said each partner in the government understood the king’s decree to ensure political stability and economic recovery.

“What is important is the country and the people’s well-being. The king had made it clear that parties should put aside their political differences and unite after the general election,” he said.

“Only Perikatan Nasional chose not to join the unity government while the rest agreed to cooperate. This has established stability.”

Hisomuddin warned that the Umno elections next year could cause trouble for Anwar’s government.

“The Umno polls could cause trouble between camps in the Malay party. If not properly dealt with, it would have an impact on Anwar’s cabinet,” he said.

Mazlan was optimistic, saying unlike Muhyiddin and Ismail, Anwar was fully backed by the leaders of every party in the government.

“These party leaders and members have been assigned important work in the cabinet,” he said.

Tolerance and discretion

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research’s Azmi Hassan said DAP should serve as the role model for tolerance and discretion for the coalition partners.

The geostrategic expert agreed the Umno polls would be a test for Anwar’s government.

“They should give and take. Look at DAP, they are playing their role by not making demands or creating issues,” he said.

“The biggest obstacle for the unity government is the Umno polls. Should Ahmad Zahid Hamidi be challenged for the presidency and lose, it will test Barisan Nasional’s position in Anwar’s cabinet. It is important for Anwar to show Zahid in a good light.”

Azmi said so far, party leaders proved supportive of Anwar.

“Umno-BN, GRS and PH leaders have backed Anwar in many issues recently. They are supportive and the government looks solid,” he said. – December 21, 2022.