The Malaysian Insight

BERSATU is agreeable to a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) between the opposition and the government, party secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin said.

Hamzah said the CSA can create a “new political landscape” that would bring stability to the country.

“I am confident, not only me as secretary-general, I am confident the Bersatu president (Muhyiddin Yassin) will take this as something good for the future of the country.

“The CSA was something announced by the former prime minister himself and is good for providing some stability for the country,” said Hamzah, who is also the home minister, at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Implementing a CSA would also show that all political parties are abiding to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for politicians to work together and manage the Covid-19 pandemic as a united team.

“If this can really happen, there’s nothing wrong with it as a step forward for a new political landscape.

“All MPs will sit together to discuss the interests of the people and the country, especially when it comes to solving the Covid-19 problem,” Hamzah added.

He was asked about the CSA which Pakatan Harapan (PH) has said it is willing to forge with new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government. 

Three days before Muhyiddin resigned on August 16, he had offered several promises of reforms in return for the opposition MPs’ support in a vote of confidence that was supposed to take place this month.

The opposition rejected the former prime minister’s olive branch, but revived the terms for reform at a meeting between PH leaders – Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Mohamad Sabu – and Ismail.

Anwar, when asked about a confidence vote on the new prime minister, said the opposition would “not complicate matters”.

DAP lawmaker Tony Pua then revealed that the same promises Muhyiddin had made before he resigned are now on the table again with Ismail.

Pua, the Damansara MP, expressed optimism that a confidence and supply deal with Ismail’s government is possible.

The reforms promised include an anti-hopping law, implementing Undi 18, limiting the prime minister’s term in office, parliamentary reforms, and increased spending to fight Covid-19.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that Ismail will leave it to the cabinet to decide on the decision to forge a CSA with the opposition. His cabinet comprises lawmakers from Umno, Bersatu, PAS, MCA, MIC and Sarawak parties. – September 1, 2021.