The longstanding ties between Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari could help smooth negotiations on a cooperation agreement between the state government and Bersatu assemblymen, an analyst says.
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the two leaders’ close relationship, which dates back to their time in PKR, could facilitate an agreement under which opposition assemblymen are expected to support the state administration.
“We knew that Azmin and Amirudin were once very close. In my view, their good relationship will help make this cooperation work and mark a new phase in Selangor politics,” he told FMT.
Mazlan said Bersatu’s position in the Selangor assembly made the proposed cooperation significant, particularly if its assemblymen backed the state government on budget matters.
Pact could reshape Selangor politics
He also viewed the move as a strategy by Bersatu amid its increasingly strained relationship with PAS.
“It has the potential to change the political calculations in Selangor ahead of a possible BN-PAS cooperation in the next election,” he said.
Mazlan was commenting on negotiations between the Selangor government and Bersatu assemblymen over a cooperation agreement expected to involve opposition representatives supporting the state administration.
On Thursday, Amirudin said Bersatu assemblymen would sign a pact with the state government before the state budget was tabled, with the terms still being finalised.
The announcement came amid rising tensions between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, key partners in both the federal and Selangor governments.
Bersatu has also fallen out with PAS, which currently chairs the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
The 56-member Selangor assembly comprises 32 representatives from Pakatan Harapan, 11 from Bersatu, 10 from PAS, two from Barisan Nasional and one independent.
From allies to political rivals
Azmin and Amirudin were once close allies in PKR, with Amirudin serving as a state executive councillor when Azmin was Selangor menteri besar.
Amirudin succeeded Azmin as menteri besar in June 2018 after Azmin was appointed economic affairs minister in the federal Cabinet.
Azmin once described Amirudin as his protégé and said he had proposed Amirudin’s name for consideration as his successor.
Their political relationship changed following the Sheraton Move, which brought down the first PH government in February 2020. Azmin led several PKR MPs out of the PH government, was subsequently sacked by the party and later joined Bersatu.
Their rivalry became more pronounced when Amirudin defeated Azmin in the Gombak parliamentary seat at the 15th general election in November 2022.
However, their personal relationship appeared to have improved. During a debate in the Selangor state assembly in August, Azmin addressed Amirudin as “adinda”.
PH-Bersatu cooperation could widen
Meanwhile, Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said the prospects for cooperation between PH and Bersatu were greater in Selangor than in Melaka, given the relationships between the leaders and Bersatu’s position in the state.
She said the proposed arrangement initially appeared to be more like a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or a confidence-and-supply agreement (CSA), which could help ensure stability in Amirudin’s administration.
Syaza said the development could also be an initial step towards PH and Bersatu working together to face a possible challenge from BN and PAS, before potentially expanding into broader cooperation at the national level.
“If there are no major obstacles, this cooperation could develop into political cooperation ahead of the general election,” she said.
