Kuala Lumpur:Cross-party cooperation via the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) is crucial for building parliamentary consensus to advance institutional reforms in the country, according to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azalina welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's support for implementing the CSA and his proposal to extend cooperation to more opposition parties. She emphasized that political differences should not hinder cooperation aimed at national stability and the people's interests, providing an opportunity for all 218 MPs to engage in the parliamentary democratic process.

Azalina pointed out that reforms, such as separating the roles of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor and limiting the Prime Minister's tenure to 10 years, require cross-party scrutiny and support due to their implications for national interest and constitutional amendments. She mentioned that a similar cooperation approach was previously implemented when UMNO was part of the federal government during the prior term.

As part of the Unity Government, Azalina stated that Barisan Nasional (BN) would continue to play a constructive role in maintaining political stability, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring effective administration for the people's benefit. Ahmad Zahid, also the BN chairman, described the CSA as a positive development for addressing and resolving issues affecting the populace.

Recently, the MADANI Government signed a CSA with six Bersatu MPs led by its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and seven other MPs, including Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim noted that the agreement was aimed at ensuring the continuity of the government's administration and the effective implementation of the country's development agenda, including Budget 2027, for the benefit of the people.