Why sign CSA when govt has two-thirds majority, asks Kiandee

Perikatan Nasional MP Ronald Kiandee has questioned the need for a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) between seven opposition MPs and the Putrajaya government. Kiandee argued that the government already possesses a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, meaning they have the numbers required to pass legislation, including constitutional amendments. This situation is different from the previous Ismail Sabri Yaakob government, which lacked a sufficient majority.

Kiandee noted that CSAs are traditionally used by minority governments that lack the support needed to pass bills. However, the current government has a comfortable majority, and the former prime minister even signed a reform pact with Pakatan Harapan to maintain stability until the end of the parliamentary term. Last week, Muhyiddin Yassin, president of Bersatu, along with other party MPs, signed the CSA with the government.

The agreement obligates the MPs to back the government until its term ends, in exchange for access to constituency development funds and Putrajaya's promise to limit the prime minister's term and separate the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor. Kiandee cautioned against the government using its power and influence to make parliamentary allocations a political weapon.