Nothing unusual about Bersatu CSA deal, Anwar says, citing previous Perikatan-BN arrangement

On October 30, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) with Bersatu follows a pattern set by the Perikatan Nasional-Barisan Nasional (PN-BN) government when he served as Opposition Leader. The agreement traces back to an understanding reached with the previous administration of former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, when Anwar led the Opposition.

According to Anwar, the government's allocation to both government and Opposition MPs proceeded as usual, despite criticisms of withholding funds. He emphasized that the mechanism was not initiated by his administration but followed the previous government's approach, comprising Bersatu, PAS, and Barisan Nasional. Anwar deemed Bersatu's agreement as a positive development and noted that other parties were free to join if they adopted the same mechanism.

The allocations would be based on the current Budget and could be disbursed by year-end after debate and approval. Anwar clarified that Opposition MPs had no imposed conditions under the agreement. Bersatu's president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, stated that the party's MPs would receive the same constituency development allocations as government backbenchers.

In exchange, the seven Opposition MPs involved pledged their support to Anwar's administration until the parliamentary term's end and the Supply Bill 2027. Muhyiddin also stressed that Bersatu would continue to be part of the Opposition and uphold its role in providing checks and balances.