Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Pawi cited Anwar’s decision to call for a vote of confidence following his appointment and the establishment of the unity government secretariat as among the measures that strengthen his administration.
Awang Azman said Anwar also acted quickly to deliver concessions to Sabah and Sarawak as another key factor to ensure stability.
The Anwar-led government has increased the annual special grants to Sabah and Sarawak by at least 10-fold to RM260 million (Sabah) and RM300 million (Sarawak). The Borneon states have also been granted autonomy over infrastructure projects under RM50 million.
“This stability allows Anwar to focus on the country’s economy and strengthen ties with the neighbouring countries,” Awang Azman told FMT.
Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan shared similar views, saying there appeared to be minimal tensions among parties in the government despite differing ideologies, citing the example of Umno and DAP.
However, Azmi said Anwar’s challenge was the instability within Umno, which posed a threat to the government’s ability to last.
“The Umno elections will decide the destiny of the unity government. I believe that Umno will remain intact and the status quo will remain,” he said, adding that the government could last the full term.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) analyst Muhamad Nadzri Mohamed Noor had a different view.
He said while Anwar’s majority in Parliament looked solid, it did not mean it could not be toppled by a manoeuvre similar to the Sheraton Move.
“At the moment, the opposition is likely feeling victimised and they will try to find a way out,” said Nadzri, in reference to the claim by Bersatu leaders that they were victims of political persecution.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has charged Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Segambut deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad, and also arrested treasurer-general Salleh Bajuri as part of its probe into the party’s funds.
However, Nadzri conceded that the anti-hopping law and the fact that the unity government was mooted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong meant it would be difficult for any party to carry out any political manoeuvres.
Nadzri, who heads UKM’s political science department, also said he did not believe Anwar has done enough so far to bring the opposition into the fold, as his predecessor, former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, did through a memorandum of understanding with the then opposition.
He said arriving at a consensus with the opposition would better help ensure political stability.
Anwar’s unity government comprises Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Muda, Warisan, Parti Bangsa Malaysia, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat and independent MPs.