SHAH ALAM - Political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian believes the Unity Government's stability wouldn't be significantly impacted if Barisan Nasional (BN) decides to withdraw support due to dissatisfaction with Datuk Seri Najib Razak's pardon.
He said BN's actions would primarily serve their own interests, as their leaders risk losing their positions in the Cabinet and government-linked companies (GLCs).
Sivamurugan noted that the Unity Government, currently backed by 152 MPs, operates through a coalition comprising Pakatan Harapan (PH), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and other allied parties.
"It is further bolstered by six MPs from Opposition parties who have publicly expressed their support.
"The formation of the government depends not only on the number of seats in BN.
"To form a governance of a government, the Prime Minister only needs 112 seats.
"The formation of the government is under the absolute authority of the Prime Minister, who advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the appointment of executive or government members.
"The Prime Minister will certainly drop BN leaders from those positions because they no longer favour the government," he told Sinar.
Reports have surfaced on alleged pressure for BN to retract its support for the Unity Government after Najib did not receive a full pardon.
However, Umno Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki refuted these claims, though acknowledging that several Umno division leaders were dissatisfied with the decision.
Sivamurugan suggested that Asyraf Wajdi likely has other internal strategies to address the issue.
"Even if BN withdraws its support, the government will remain unchanged.
"Perhaps that's why Asyraf Wajdi believes it's preferable to remain in the government," he added.