PETALING JAYA: Analysts see it as unlikely that any of the 114 MPs backing PM-designate Ismail Sabri Yaakob will change their stand in the vote of confidence that will be taken in the Dewan Rakyat.
Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs and National Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir said Malaysia could thus be assured of a stable government for some time.
Speaking to FMT, they noted that the King had personally confirmed with the MPs their choice of Ismail.
Oh said Istana Negara’s explicit mention that 114 MPs were backing Ismail was a subtle warning to them to stay true to their word.
He said he did not believe they would dare cross the King.
Jeniri said going back on their word would be bad for their image.
However, he added that the best way for Ismail to guarantee political stability during his tenure would be to reach a confidence-and-supply agreement with the opposition.
He also said Ismail’s government should consider the reform proposals made by his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin just before he resigned.
“He should implement these proposals in good faith, not only for political stability but also for the good of the country,” he said.
“Enough of playing politics. The way forward is for everybody to unite and collaborate for the good of the nation so we can tackle the problems we’re facing.”
On Wednesday, Istana Negara said the King had decreed that whoever became the prime minister must table a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to prove that he commanded the majority support of MPs.
Muhyiddin, who resigned on Monday, was slated to table the motion of confidence on Sept 7, when Parliament is supposed to reconvene.
In his last national address before resigning, he proposed a number of reforms should he win September’s confidence vote with the opposition’s backing.
These included term limits for the prime minister, resources for the opposition leader equivalent to those of a senior Cabinet minister, and the immediate lowering of the voting age to 18.
Muhyiddin also said all MPs would receive the same annual allocations regardless of political affiliation, with opposition MPs’ allocations for 2021 increased on a pro-rated basis for the remaining months of the year.
Asked if Bersatu could threaten Ismail’s government, Jeniri said this would depend on how Ismail treats his predecessor’s party.
He also said it was fair for the deputy prime minister’s post to be given to Bersatu and there should be open discussions on this. Umno, he said, should not demand too much.
“At the same time, Bersatu should cooperate with Ismail and not use this as a chance to exact revenge on Umno. The party has nothing to lose by giving total support to Ismail.”
Jeniri also said the Cabinet’s size should be reduced. “It has to be a very efficient and functional Cabinet.” - FMT
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