COMMENT | M'sia's first federal-level CSA – 8 questions to answer

COMMENT | Finally, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's administration and the official opposition (i.e. Pakatan Harapan) will be signing a memorandum of understanding for transformation and political stability (MOU-TPS).

This followed after months of negotiations and effectively, becoming Malaysia's first federal-level confidence and supply agreement (CSA).

While we do not know the final details, which will be unveiled only by 5pm this evening, let us applaud the prime minister and Harapan leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Mohamad Sabu, all 11 negotiators from both sides as well as others who have contributed to the process in earlier negotiations.

Here are some questions that may need to be answered and some details that deserve attention to make this CSA work.

Is this a CSA?

A CSA is a political instrument between the government and the opposition. The government makes policy and/or institutional concessions in exchange for the opposition's support or neutrality on votes of confidence, no-confidence, budget, royal speeches, or key bills that are tied to the government's survival.

Whether the MOU-TPS is a CSA can be easily ascertained by...