COMMENT | Can a 'unity govt' save new PM from infighting?

COMMENT | Even before the newly installed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob can start forming a new government with his yet to be announced cabinet ministers, there seems to be some infighting brewing between Perikatan Nasional (PN), which controls 50 MPs and BN, which controls 41 MPs.

The first salvo was fired by PN chairperson and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin when he stated that the government of Ismail Sabri is a PN one. Umno leaders fired back to insist that it is now a BN government or perhaps (more accurately) a coalition government of BN, BN and GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak).

There is a saying that “one mountain cannot contain two tigers”. Like most organisations (including the government), there must only be one big boss (chief executive) who would make the final call on any issues.

It is not looking good for the new PM, who already has so many external and internal challenges to grapple with (as I have written about it two days ago).

Most of the problems have been caused by the failure of the last PN government (which he had been part of but with limited powers) to address the devastating pandemic and very dire economic situation.

Many supporters of both PN and BN are anxiously waiting to see the list of new cabinet ministers to be announced.

It is unlikely that both sides would be satisfied with whatever portfolios he appoints the politicians into, including perhaps, having more non-politician technocrats based on integrity and capability. Like another saying goes: “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t”.

In a way, many people do not envy the position of the new PM for being...