KUCHING, Feb 5 — The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) welcomes the formation of a Shadow Cabinet line-up as revealed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) on Tuesday (Jan 31).

The civil society group congratulated the head of PN Parliamentarians Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin as the formation of a shadow cabinet is a step forward to empower the Parliament and democracy in Malaysia.

"We need a culture of political competition that is professional and mature, not hostile and belittling between the government and the Opposition in order to achieve sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and innovation,” it said in a statement issued yesterday.

With the formation of this shadow cabinet, Bersih hoped the Opposition would be more solid and organised in checking and balancing the government, as well as offering alternative policies based on facts, data and ideas.

The group also hoped that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would welcome the formation of the shadow cabinet and take the opportunity to strengthen political stability.

"Such approach will eliminate worries of another ‘Sheraton Move’ crisis and realise the Malaysia growth driven by the ‘Madani’ values.

"At the same time, the PN shadow cabinet should pay a courtesy visit to the cabinet before Parliament convenes as a sign of civilised inter-party competition,” it said.

Moreover, Bersih said the unity government led by Anwar should officially recognise the formation of the shadow cabinet in Parliament with a law that stipulates the functions, rights and facilities for the shadow cabinet.

This is to allow the shadow cabinet to perform robust and professional check and balance against the government, instead of resorting to emotional and populist rhetoric.

Thus, the group said the recognition of the shadow cabinet should include a swearing-in ceremony for shadow ministers at Istana Negara as a Loyal Opposition to the prime minister.

"There should be an allowance to shadow ministers that is one third of a minister’s salary, similarly to Australia’s system, and allocation of a salaried research officer for each shadow minister with the relevant expertise related to the shadow minister’s portfolio.

It said the government should also allow relevant access to information on the government to enable the shadow ministers to produce realistic policies.

Another recommendation is to carry out improvements to Parliamentary time and agenda in Dewan Rakyat in consultation with the Opposition leader or a representative from the shadow cabinet.

"Bersih hopes that with the formation and official recognition of the shadow cabinet, the quality of debate and scrutiny in Parliament and overall policy competition will be enhanced to the benefit of the people who are fed up with unprofessional and toxic political bickering,” it said. — Borneo Post