PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional should form a shadow state government with Datuk Seri Azmin Ali as Selangor Opposition leader, say analysts.
They added that whoever leads the 22 Opposition members in the 56-seat house must represent the interests of all races, despite all the Perikatan assemblymen being Malay.
Political scientist Prof Wong Chin Huat, from Sunway University, said being a shadow for the state government would enable Perikatan to compete on policy ideas.
“The Opposition should push the Selangor government to recognise the Shadow Cabinet,” said Wong.
Green issues should be among the top priorities for the Opposition as this is important to the people in the state, he said.
Wong pointed out that while the state is the most developed in the country, Selangorians wanted sustainable development rather than mere rapid development.
“Selangorians have a higher consciousness of sustainable development,” said Wong.
He pointed out that the plans involving the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (HSKLU) and Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD) are unpopular projects.
Wong also said that Azmin should present a more tolerant Perikatan.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute of Ethnic Studies founding director Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin also said Azmin, as a former Selangor mentri besar, is most suited to be Opposition leader.
He said that in Selangor, both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan offered similar manifestos.
He pointed out that the Perikatan opposition bloc must now sound acceptable to all.
