Is there a ‘unity’ in Malaysia’s unity government?

SHAH ALAM - The unveiling of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) unity government yesterday garners various reactions, with several Malaysians claiming that the new cabinet lacks unity.

However, political expert Prof Madya Dr. Ummu Atiyah Ahmad Zakuan said it could still be called a unity government because representatives from the parties in the Coalition were from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.

“Well, there is a certain degree of unity because the line-up consists of representatives from the parties in the coalition from Peninsular and Borneo, from Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS),” she said.

She also said that the line-up also showed a combination of senior and young MPs, most of the young ones being from PKR.

Echoing Ummu Atiyah’s view, political expert Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal urged all ministers to take the oath of allegiance to the country and the Constitution.

“The Constitution safeguards the rights of Malaysia, Bumiputra, and the legitimate interests of other races,” he said.

Meanwhile, political expert Dr. Syaza Shukri expressed her disappointment because she could not see the ‘unity’ in this unity government.

“On one hand, we understand this is to keep the PN supporters from accusing the government of being a ‘Chinese majority’ government, but it is still lopsided in terms of racial composition.

“Women should be more, but in terms of percentage, at 14 per cent female MPs, it is still far below 30 per cent but reflects the MP percentage, while youth is lacking with mostly the same older gentlemen and only one Indian.”

“I see it less as a unity government but more as a compromised government in the name of stability, but we understand that following the result of the election, wisdom is required over overt replication of MP composition if the government is to last.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled his cabinet after 10 days of wait.