Giving MPs positions not a long-term guarantee for Muhyiddin - analysts

Offering parliamentarians positions in the government or government-linked bodies in exchange for their political support may not provide long-term security for Muhyiddin Yassin's position as prime minister, according to analysts.

Citing the recent viral audio of an individual who sounded like Muhyiddin making such offers, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) lecturer Dr Mazlan Ali said it appears to confirm the strategy of luring support from Perikatan Nasional backbenchers by offering them various positions.

"This strategy might fail because offering positions will trigger MPs to threaten the prime minister and more bargaining activities will take place. It will cause more bargaining to gain more rewards," he said.

"From a political viewpoint, this strategy will spark competition among PN parties to better secure their positions," Mazlan told Malaysiakini.

Since the formation of the PN government, Mazlan estimated that up to 80 percent of MPs have been given positions either as ministers, deputy ministers, GLC chiefs or heads of agencies.

A Facebook page linked to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad had exposed another audio clip said to be from a Bersatu supreme council meeting on Feb 23.

In the audio, a man who sounded like Muhyiddin was heard saying that Umno MPs will work together with Bersatu MPs if they were offered minister or GLC positions.

The Muhyiddin administration has appointed more than 13 PN MPs to head GLCs, government agencies and to fill new diplomatic posts.

Bersatu supreme council member Akramsyah Sanusi previously said that the council had rejected the idea to "buy support" from Umno MPs.

"We have never agreed to the plan to buy the loyalty of MPs with positions because this goes against values that we had campaigned on during the last 14th general elections with Harapan," he said.

Meanwhile, Mazlan warned that PN MPs who have yet to receive any position may be disappointed and be tempted to rescind their support.

"For sure, Muhyiddin will face difficulties controlling the PN MPs not offered any positions because of their ongoing court cases.

"Aside from that, the offering of these positions also gives off a negative image to the public and civil society of Muhyiddin's leadership," he said.

Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturer Assoc Prof Rusdi Omar concurred that the strategy would not pay off in the long run.

"I don't quite agree with that kind of political strategy because it will not be as effective for Muhyiddin in the long-term. In the short-term, he might survive by giving out the positions but it will not last," he said.

"Muhyiddin must form a strong cabinet if he truly wants to last as prime minister and the strategy to offer certain positions is not a guarantee of loyalty," said the dean of UUM's Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government.

He added the approach taken by Muhyiddin has painted an image that the PN government is weak.

"However my view is that he was forced to take this step and this indirectly shows that he is having a hard time controlling the politicians in government,"  said Rusdi. - Mkini