Wan Fayhsal slams MPs who signed CSA with govt

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has criticized opposition MPs for signing a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) with the government. He contends that the terms of the agreement limit the freedom of those MPs to criticize Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration. In a Facebook post, Fayhsal, who serves as Wawasan information chief, argues that the CSA is a one-sided deal designed to prevent opposition MPs from scrutinizing the government.

Fayhsal points out that Muhyiddin Yassin, then Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman and one of the MPs who signed the agreement, previously rejected a similar CSA in 2023 due to concerns over its one-sided terms. These terms, he asserts, would severely restrict the opposition's ability to hold the government accountable.

The government does not require the CSA, as it already holds a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat. According to Fayhsal, the agreement is a tool to "shackle and muzzle" the opposition. Of the six Bersatu MPs who signed the CSA, four are PN members who switched allegiance, while the others were sacked by the party for their support of the government.

Under the agreement, the opposition MPs seek to limit the prime minister's term, separate the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor, and receive equal development allocations for their constituencies compared to government MPs. In return, the opposition MPs pledge to support Anwar Ibrahim's government until the end of the parliamentary term and the 2027 budget.

PN had previously rejected the government's draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on constituency allocations for opposition MPs, citing constitutionality concerns. They also alleged that the draft MoU contained restrictions on freedom of speech, discussions on race, religion, and royalty, asset declaration requirements, and a lack of clarity on funding amounts and mechanisms.