THE Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) said the unity government should recognise the opposition’s shadow cabinet with a law that outlines the functions, rights and facilities for it.

In a statement, it said this will ensure that it can perform a robust and professional check and balance against the government, instead of resorting to emotional and populist rhetoric.

In welcoming the Perikatan Nasional shadow cabinet announced yesterday, Bersih also said members of the shadow cabinet should be sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the loyal opposition to the king.

It added that ministers in the shadow cabinet should receive an allowance similar to the Australian system – one-third of a minister’s salary.

The civil society group also said each shadow minister should be allocated a salaried research officer, have relevant access to information on the government so that they can produce realistic policies and improvements to parliamentary time and agenda in the Dewan Rakyat in consultation with the opposition leader or a representative from the shadow cabinet.

“The act of forming a shadow cabinet is a step forward to empower the Dewan Rakyat and democracy in Malaysia.

“Bersih hopes that with the formation of this shadow cabinet, the opposition will be more solid and organised in checking and balancing the government and offering alternative policies based on facts, data and ideas,” it added.

Bersih said the country needs a culture of political competition that is professional and mature, “not hostile and belittling between the government and the opposition”.

It therefore hoped Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will welcome the shadow cabinet positively and take the opportunity to strengthen political stability, “eliminate worries about a Sheraton Move 2.0, and realise a Malaysia driven by Madani values”.

With the formation and official recognition, Bersih said the quality of debate and scrutiny in parliament and overall policy competition will be enhanced “to the benefit of the people who are fed up with unprofessional and toxic political bickering”. – February 3, 2023.