Don't expect quick magic from the 'shadows'

Although Pakatan Rakyat is led by a 'master magician', a social scientist said the shadow committee unveiled yesterday cannot be expected to pull rabbits out of its hat anytime soon.

However, Shamsul Amri Baharuddin was quick to point out that both Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and the coalition should not be underestimated.

"Anwar is a master magician, I admit that some of his tricks have exploded in his face but we never know what we can expect," he said when contacted.

Shamsul also commended Pakatan for crafting the committee, saying that it is crucial to bridge the differences between its component parties and ensure the coalition’s continued survival.

The Malay World and Civilisation Academy (Atma) director also likened the committee to a ‘sports committee’ where Pakatan MPs will undergo training.

The reality is, he pointed out, apart from PAS MPs, the rest do not have experience in matters of federal governance.

Yesterday, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali announced the members of the committee which corresponds with the 25 ministries in the federal cabinet.

It was stated that the committee is not a 'shadow cabinet' but will serve to better prepare Pakatan MPs in aspects of research which in turn will assist them in debating bills and tackling the question-and-answer session.

Political polygamy

Shamsul also pointed out that Pakatan is nowhere close to forming a shadow cabinet.

The differences between the component parties - PKR, PAS and DAP - will delay such a possibility even as they approach the next general election, he said.

"I think the committee of three people for one ministry is to accommodate their own differences. They do not agree on issues… like district nominations… and will never be able to agree," he added.

To reconcile these differences, Shamsul ( right ) said the current governing arrangement of one minister and one deputy will have to change to one minister with two deputies for each ministry.

"If DAP was given a deputy premier position there will be questions as to why DAP was given the position and not another party," he said.

"This is a practical way of getting along. But with Pakatan, the political arrangement will always be 3,3,3. It will be a political polygamy," he added.

Shamsul also suspects that the MPs were grouped together in the shadow committee based on their paper qualifications.

However, he noted that the combination may not truly reflect their practical experience

"(DAP's Penang deputy chief minister II) P Ramasamy is placed in the International Relations Ministry. He has a political science background but his specialty is in labour politics.

"Tony Pua (DAP publicity secretary) may have studied in Oxford but that does not mean he knows much about the higher education system," he said.

Sprinkling a little optimism, Shamsul however said this is just the first step and the MPs "will later move up to gain practical experience."

A display of unity

Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the committee will serve as the foundation stone for Pakatan to build its shadow cabinet.

"It (the committee) has been long suggested. After winning more seats (in the last elections), I think the people had more expectations, and they wanted to see a more functional opposition." he said.

Sivamurugan, who also stressed that cooperation is a key ingredient, said the committee could eventually become a shadow cabinet after functioning for a few months.

"However, they need better cooperation between the members or devise a strategy before forming the shadow cabinet," he added.

As for the allocation of three different party representatives for one ministry, he viewed it as an attempt to reflect the unity within the coalition.

He also saw it as a failsafe mechanism to avoid issues and problems between the coalition members.

"They cannot have three leaders for one ministry. Without any particular one (person) leading, everyone will be making their own decisions and this will lead to more problems," he said.