Zahid backs CSA with opposition MPs

Barisan Nasional supports the confidence and supply agreement (CSA) signed between the government and opposition MPs, with its chairman, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying similar arrangements should be extended to other political parties.

Zahid, who is also the Umno president, described the agreement as a positive development, saying it was a measure previously taken by the government when then Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob was the prime minister.

“This is a positive development and we support the CSA,” he told reporters at the nomination centre for the Tanjung Bidara seat in Ayer Keroh this morning.

“Ideally, the CSA should be extended to other parties.”

Six Bersatu MPs – Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh), Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya), Ali Biju (Saratok), Suhaimi Abdullah (Langkawi), Nazri Abu Hassan (Merbok) and Azman Nasrudin (Padang Serai) – signed a CSA with the government on Thursday.

The deal was also signed by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and six former Bersatu MPs who were sacked by the party in 2024 for declaring support for the government.

Under the agreement, they are seeking a limit on the prime minister’s tenure, the separation of the attorney-general and public prosecutor’s roles before the current government’s term ends, and constituency development allocations equal to those given to government MPs.

In return, the opposition MPs will support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government until the end of the parliamentary term, as well as the 2027 budget.

‘MCA boycott did not happen’

On the coming Melaka election, Zahid said many had expected MCA to boycott the polls, “or at least sulk over the matter”, but that did not happen.

He noted that the party will now contest four seats in the election on Nov 14.

MCA was initially allocated only Kelebang and Machap Jaya, prompting its president, Wee Ka Siong, to lead a walkout during BN’s candidate announcement ceremony.

Following discussions with the BN leadership, the party was allowed to also contest Bandar Hilir and Kota Laksamana.

“We will work hard to ensure that we win all the seats we are contesting, or at least reduce the winning majorities of our opponents in constituencies we had previously lost,” he said.

Zahid also hoped that the election campaign would remain free from smear tactics or  negative campaigning.

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