Analysts: SG4 meant to show a united opposition front

PETALING JAYA: The formation of “State Government 4” (SG4), which comprises the four Perikatan Nasional states, is a move to strengthen itself as the Opposition, say political analysts.

It is to prove that states under Perikatan are of one mind in facing the unity government at the federal level, says Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.

However, he said it was unlikely that SG4 was impactful in “toppling” the unity government “but significant enough to show the strength of the Opposition”.

“It is how they want to show the Federal Government that they are united to face the federal leadership,” he said when contacted.

Terengganu Mentri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is the SG4 spokesperson, said last Thursday that Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu would come together as SG4.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was named SG4’s “unofficial adviser”.

On Dr Mahathir’s appointment, Prof Sivamurugan said Perikatan might require help from the former prime minister who had experience in leading the country twice.

“There will be no major impact on the relationship between the Federal Government and states, unless the role of Dr Mahathir is seen as more influential than the mentris besar of those states,” he said.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said the formation of SG4, to a certain extent, was to show that the states were not subservient to the Federal Government.

They wanted to send out the message that these states were able to be independent on certain aspects with the help of Dr Mahathir as their adviser, he said.

Hisomuddin said the appointment of Dr Mahathir was seen as a political move to challenge the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

However, he was of the view that SG4 would not be a threat to the Federal Government as these opposition states were relying on federal funds.

“Furthermore, the states under SG4 are not as developed as Selangor. So this is more of a political move and a form of acknowledgement to the expertise of Dr Mahathir,” he added.

Universiti Malaya Academy of Malay Studies’ Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Perikatan was exhausting all its efforts to display its authority at its stronghold states.

“Perikatan is trying its best to utilise all means to show that it has the authority to strengthen its political standing,” he said.

He was of the view that the appointment of Dr Mahathir might widen the gap between the federal and Perikatan state governments.

“Appointing someone who is considered unfriendly to the Prime Minister seemed like a move to distance the state government from the Federal Government.

“As for economic development, it is hard to say unless he is able to attract investors from Japan to the four states,” he added.

Academy of Sciences Malaysia fellow Datuk Dr Madeline Berma said it was not uncommon for state governments to attract investors for economic development.

As such, she said SG4 could put efforts into getting investors to boost their state economy with the help of Dr Mahathir.

“When it comes to foreign direct investments, the main responsibility is on the Federal Government, but it does not mean the state government is not allowed to do it. Sarawak is a good example,” she said.