KUALA LUMPUR – The success of the unity government cabinet will be measured based on its consensus and cooperation as a group, despite the ministers being from different political parties, said socio-cultural analyst Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi.
Tajuddin said the narrative that cooperation was difficult to form between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) was inaccurate, as both parties shared the same basis of “cultural diversity”.
“BN has been a multi-racial party from the beginning. We see that PH also is similar. The same goes for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“This situation is different for Bersatu and PAS, which lean more towards one race or religion,” he said on the Ruang Bicara programme produced by BernamaTV last night.
Commenting on the tabling of the vote of confidence at the Dewan Rakyat sitting on December 19, Tajuddin said all MPs need to unite to face the “test” to save and develop the country despite their differences in ideologies.
“I don’t see it as a question of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s legitimacy, but a test for the MPs. Are they united and ready to defend the country together? This is a test for them, and not the prime minister,” he said.
Meanwhile, PEACE Malaysia chief executive officer Zokhri Idris said he felt that the appointment of the ministers was apt given their respective expertises.
“It is true that there are criticisms on a couple of positions, but that cannot be reason to question the appropriateness of their appointments.
“I see that the line-up is quite appropriate and (the ministers) have been placed in the right ministerial positions,” he said, adding that it was still too early to assess, as deputy ministers have yet to be appointed and the unity government should be given time and space to govern the country.
Zokhri also hoped that the cabinet could show the value of inclusivity and the spirit of consensus based on “leadership by example”, which he said could have a domino effect on the people’s well-being. – Bernama, December 7, 2022
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