Opposition's shadow cabinet no mark of genuine cooperation - Muhyiddin

The shadow cabinet announced by the opposition yesterday does not reflect genuine cooperation among the partners, and in fact they are incapable of being united due to their divergent stance on various issues, says Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman, said although the opposition pact had proposed the same after the last general election, it did not materialise as they could not reach a consensus.

"It looks like they (opposition parties) are united but actually, they are incapable of being so as there are clear, extraordinary differences among them.

"Perhaps the 'rakyat' (people) will question whether they are capable of forming a strong, cohesive government in ensuring their well-being.

"(This is) a question of the people's lot. So we let the people judge," he told reporters after attending a closed-door briefing on the Pagoh Parliamentary Constituency's Development Plan at Kompleks Seri Pekembar, here, today.

His remarks were in reference to the statement by opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on reviving the opposition's shadow cabinet as a check and balance system to ensure the people's well-being.

Muhyiddin, who is also UMNO deputy president, said the announcement on the shadow cabinet was perhaps made because Pakatan Rakyat (PR) felt that they had the prospect of forming the next government.

"Whatever it is, for BN, the issue in the opposition of whether they want to list the leaders of the future government, the people may want to know who will be the PM (prime minister) and DPM (deputy prime minister).

"This thing (shadow cabinet) is not out of the ordinary, as many other countries have that system. But in Malaysia, this has not happpened and we are not sure whether it can happen, as we know the opposition components are not on the same page.

"What I know is that the quarrel between PAS and DAP has reached its climax, and at the top, their leadership are challenging each other. Hence, (opposition leader) Wan Azizah's hopes remain as that as they will not agree on who will become what.

"However, that's the opposition's issue, not the government's. It's up to them," he said.

Asked whether the shadow cabinet announcement could be the opposition's strategy to draw public support, Muhyiddin said is was also up to the 'rakyat' to judge.

"In the past including in the last general election, they could not officially name the (shadow cabinet) line-up. The same thing will happen as there is no consensus in the PR leadership," he said.