Reforms slowed by lack of formal coalition agreement, say analysts

Free Malaysia Today

7 hours ago

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leads a unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak and Warisan. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : The unity government would have been better placed to advance its reform agenda had it sealed a formal coalition pact akin to a blueprint drawn up in Germany eight years ago, two analysts said.
Earlier this month, Senator Fuziah Salleh acknowledged that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government, cobbled together after the 15th general election (GE 15) in 2022 turned up a hung Parliament, lacked a clear framework to implement reforms effectively.
Speaking on BBC's World Questions podcast, she said that in hindsight, a formal coalition agreement, like the one used by Germany's grand coalition, might have helped the government quicken delivery of reforms and position itself better on policies.
In 2017, Germany faced a hung parliament after no party secured a simple majority in the Bundestag, the country's lower house, to form a government on its own.
Political parties then took nearly five months to negotiate and agree on a blueprint listing policies, including on foreign affairs, media reforms, environmental protection and social welfare, to serve as a guide while in office.
Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Awang Pawi agreed with Fuziah's remarks, saying that there was 'merit' in her 'critique'.
He said Germany's coalition-building process took nearly five months to complete but resulted in a comprehensive document spanning more than 170 pages.
'An approach like Germany's could have worked in Malaysia if political actors prioritised national reform over narrow party interests,' he said, adding that a longer negotiation process might have helped the unity government align on shared goals.
International Islamic University Malaysia lecturer Syaza Syukri agreed, noting that the unity coalition came together without clear agreements on policies, which has slowed reform efforts.
'The current government came together for the sake of forming an administration without putting much thought into its framework and agreements, besides how to share the spoils of power,' she told FMT.
'Had we a clearer blueprint, maybe it could have empowered Anwar to do more. Now, it seems like there's a constant need for negotiations, which is impeding his reform agenda.'
However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara took a different view, saying that the perception that reforms and institutional changes promised by Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition have been slow was misplaced.
He said the government's anti-corruption efforts were a 'strong start'.
'You have to start at the foundation to eradicate corruption, which has long plagued our civil institutions,' he said.
Anwar was sworn in as the 10th prime minister on Nov 24, 2022, after a unity coalition was formed between PH, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak and Warisan.
PH leaders have previously said they were not in a position to deliver on all their election pledges due to the constraints of governing within a broad-based unity government.
Anwar, for his part, has consistently defended the pace of reforms of his administration, saying that meaningful change takes time and must be pursued with wisdom and broad political support.
He also pointed to the reality that PH's 82 MPs do not even make up a simple majority in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.
Nonetheless, he said, with the support of all its coalition partners, the government has been able to push through impactful national programmes.
'You can't take things for granted (in the unity government). The process of negotiation, discussion and engagement is important,' said Anwar.