Confidence pact loosens BN’s hold on Anwar’s govt, say analysts

The confidence and supply agreement signed between the Anwar Ibrahim government and seven opposition MPs will help ensure the coalition government will not be beholden to Barisan Nasional or any other coalition partners, say political analysts.

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University of Malaysia says Anwar’s government has sufficient support in the Dewan Rakyat to remain until the end of its term, even if BN were to withdraw support, as other partners such as Gabungan Parti Sarawak are unlikely to leave.

“So there’s no immediate reason (to sign a similar pact with other parties). I think it’s more a long-term strategy to show that the Anwar government still has something up its sleeve and it would not be beholden to BN and the threats of some coalition members,” she said.

“It is (also) more about the legitimacy of the current government to stave off any possible opposition call for a snap election,” Syaza told FMT.

Anwar heads the unity government coalition formed by Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and several minor parties. The coalition commands 143 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, and has the support of Bersatu, six independents and Muda.

On Thursday, the federal coalition signed an agreement with the six Bersatu MPs and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in return for two key reforms that Putrajaya must undertake.

The MPs want the government to limit the prime minister’s tenure and separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor before the end of its term. They also want to be allocated the same amount of constituency development funds that government backbenchers currently receive.

The seven opposition MPs agreed to support the Anwar government until the end of the parliamentary term and help approve the 2007 budget.

Syaza said Bersatu, in signing the pledge, was seeking new partners to “stabilise itself” following its fallout with PAS and Perikatan Nasional.

Similarly, Universiti Malaya political analyst Tawfik Yaakub said the agreement did not imply all was not well with the federal government, but could also be seen as a tactic to expand its options for political support in Parliament.

“However, it sends out a message that the government has leeway to obtain support from other parties without being overly dependent on existing coalition partners,” he said. However, there was no basis for BN or GPS to retract their support for the government.

‘Insurance policy’

Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting said the agreement amounted to the government taking out political insurance. “You don’t buy insurance because your house is burning. You buy it because you suspect someone might be holding the matches,” he said.

However, Anwar’s move to secure cooperation from Bersatu could further complicate relations between Umno and Pakatan Harapan, he said.

“Umno grassroots have never been entirely comfortable with PH, particularly DAP. Bringing Bersatu-linked figures closer to the government could further complicate that relationship, especially when Umno and Bersatu are competing for essentially the same vote bank,” he said.

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