PETALING JAYA: The Selangor state government’s co-operation with Bersatu is about positioning Pakatan Harapan for the next polls, say analysts.
The deal could give Pakatan, which now controls the state, a two-thirds majority, but experts say it all depends on whether a divided Bersatu could keep its assemblymen and deliver Malay votes.
Pakatan now has 32 seats in the 56-seat assembly and is cooperating with Umno (two seats) and independent Abdul Rashid Asari, who had stood on a Bersatu ticket. Bersatu has 11 seats while PAS has 10.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has said a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) would be signed with Bersatu before the Selangor Budget is tabled next month, pending approval from Pakatan’s top leadership.
Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional win in Negri Sembilan had altered political calculations.
“Essentially, this is less about securing today’s government and more about shaping tomorrow’s electoral landscape,” he said.
Awang Azman said Bersatu’s 11 assemblymen would lift the government’s support in the 56-seat assembly from 35 to 46, above the 38 needed for a two-thirds majority to amend the state constitution.
“However, Pakatan already has sufficient support to pass ordinary legislation and budgets.
“The supermajority offers greater political flexibility rather than an essential governing advantage,” he said.
According to him, Bersatu’s electoral weakness and internal disagreements raised questions over the agreement’s value.
Pakatan also risked alienating Barisan while strengthening the hand of Selangor Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, he said.
“Ultimately, the CSA may benefit Pakatan tactically, but its long-term electoral value remains uncertain,” Awang Azman added.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the CSA was about political positioning ahead of the next state election.
A two-thirds majority would bring greater political stability although the CSA did not guarantee support for every proposal.
“The real test is whether this translates into better governance,” he said.
Pakatan would gain political leverage, Sivamurugan said, but Bersatu’s value depended on whether its assemblymen genuinely backed the agreement, given reports that they were not consulted.
“Without grassroots commitment and political discipline, the CSA risks becoming a symbolic arrangement rather than a meaningful strategic advantage,” he said.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan, however, said the discussion between Pakatan and Bersatu was about the general election, not the next Selangor polls.
“Bersatu really wants to work with Pakatan. It wants to prove that it can attract Malay voters,” he said.
He said Pakatan needed a partner that could draw Malay support, especially after the Johor and Negri Sembilan state elections.
“I think that is what they are trying to do,” Azmi added.
