Ramasamy: Much ado about nothing in PH-Bersatu CSA reforms, only benefits the signatories

 

THERE is much ado about nothing regarding the signing of the confidence and supply agreement (CSA) between the six BERSATU MPs and Syed Saddiq, the former president of MUDA.

In a recent interview, Syed said that the CSA is important not just for the MPs to obtain equal funding as the MPs within the government fold but also in terms of bringing about reforms.

He mentioned reforms such as limiting the terms of the prime minister and separating the functions of the attorney general and the public prosecutor.

The talks of limiting the terms of the prime minister have been around for some time and have nothing to do with the recent CSA.

Similarly, the need to separate the functions of the AG and public prosecutor preceded the CSA.

I think it is not reasonable for Syed Saddiq to bring in these two aspects of reforms as the outcome of the CSA.

The CSA was the recent product of the talks between BERSATU and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, with the former MUDA chief being included.

It does not just benefit the opposition but enables the government in power to get the necessary support when it comes to certain critical bills.

It ensures that those who signed the agreement, the MPs, tend to benefit from the financial allocations that were previously reserved only for MPs on the government side.

Syed Saddiq should not give a one-sided scenario of the CSA because those who signed it seem to be the main beneficiaries.

I seriously doubt that the CSA can push for reforms by the government.

Presently, it is not that the government lacks the crucial two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Even if the PH coalition government cannot bring about the much-needed reforms, how can the new signatories of the CSA push for reforms?

Syed Saddiq should realise that those who signed the CSA with the government are not in any strong position.

It appears that the CSA is meant more to give breathing space to opposition members, especially those facing the political doldrums.

Reform is a nice or palatable word or concept, but saying that the CSA is going to bring about the much-needed reforms might be a bit far-fetched. 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT 

- Focus Malaysia.