THE unity government must carefully tread the minefield of political appointments if it wishes to stay in power for more than a term, observers warned.

Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Pakatan Harapan (PH) should take particular care not to offend its key partner Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), alluding to the appointments of Sarawak PKR deputy chairman Abun Sui Anyit and DAP’s Roderick Wong to the Senate and Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii as the health minister’s special adviser.

PH fielded Abun in Belaga and Wong in Sarikei in the state elections. Both lost.

Yii’s appointment has been criticised as redundant as the state already has a public health, housing and local government minister in Dr Sim Hui Kian.

Awang Azman said PH needs to be transparent in its appointments and should seek to “reach a mutual understanding” with GPS when it comes to the interests of Sarawak.

He said it would be prudent for PH to consult GPS on any key appointments.

Members of PH and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, a component of GPS, also had words when PKR’s Ahmad Nazib Johari was allegedly appointed as the J-Kom Sarawak director.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil defused the tension when he denied the appointment had taken place.

University of Tasmania’s Asian governance expert, James Chin, said the appointments are a sign that PH is positioning itself for the next state elections.

Chin said as DAP was kept out of the federal cabinet at the insistence of GPS, PH needed to give DAP “direct government connections”.

Without the connection, Chin said, it would be difficult for Sarawak PH to fight GPS in the next elections.

GPS might support PH – made up of PKR, DAP and Amanah – at the federal level but it is an opposition coalition at state level.

Chin said PH must show its Sarawak chapter is part of the federal government and therefore has the resources to bring development and progress to the rural areas.

“GPS (will) understand this is all part of PH’s manoeuvrings to challenge the state government in the next elections.”

Chin said unless PH and GPS can come to an understanding on appointments, “We can expect PH to fight GPS in the next state elections”.

Awang Azman agreed, saying both coalitions needed to have a mutual understanding without the glare of bad publicity. – April 16, 2023.