PETALING JAYA: A Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) between Bersatu and the government could help secure support for Budget 2027 while paving the way for closer political cooperation, say analysts.
Dr Azmil Tayeb, an associate professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Social Sciences, said the agreement could serve as a safeguard for Pakatan Harapan if Umno MPs failed to turn up to vote on the Budget.
“Passing Budget 2027 is crucial for the government, particularly with the next general election approaching,” he said.
Assoc Prof Azmil said the arrangement was unlikely to affect the governing coalition as Bersatu’s cooperation with Pakatan was currently limited to the CSA without requiring Umno to make any concessions.
On the Melaka state election, he said the agreement could be a precursor to closer cooperation between Bersatu and Pakatan to avoid multi-cornered contests.
“Bersatu could potentially contest on behalf of Pakatan in Malay-majority constituencies,” he said.
Yesterday, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin signed the CSA which provides Bersatu MPs the same constituency development allocations as government backbenchers.
National Council of Professors fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the agreement was intended not only to facilitate electoral cooperation but also to provide political assurance to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said it could help secure support for Budget 2027 and other government business until the end of the current parliamentary term, amid pressure from Barisan Nasional for Parliament to be dissolved.
“Although Barisan has only 30 MPs, the coalition’s support is very important.
“The CSA will allow Anwar to demonstrate that he has support beyond government backbenchers, including from a section of the opposition,” he said.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said the CSA could strengthen Anwar’s position by securing the backing of Bersatu MPs.
He said the arrangement could encourage other opposition parties to pursue similar agreements, potentially contributing to political stability.
Assoc Prof Mazlan added that closer cooperation between Pakatan and Bersatu could also avoid political contest in the Melaka polls.
