A leader’s choice of cabinet ministers bear strategic value to make or break his power and rule. The last PM could not push his reform agenda and was accused by public of not walking the talk. This is in part due to many within bloated cabinet not going with his agenda and in fact later rebelled against his continuance based on exuse of March 8th 08 electoral debacle..

Cabinet posts represent – to politicians – the pinnacle of career achievement. For a minister has substantial policymaking influence in strategic areas, as well as access to largese and patronage.

In ordinary times cabinet posts are offered to political allies within one’s political party as a reward for political support and allegiance.

But now is extraordinary time – at least for the BN . As YB Kit said, “old faces, ideas and approaches” have been rejected vin March 8th 08 political tsunamy and 2 bukit by-elections!

So what’s new approach for political survival?

First is to placate former PM (TDM) by flattering his king maker’s aspirations by appointing or dropping some people according to his wishes. This is to avert a fate worser than predecessor (Pak Lah) who incurred the Octogenarian’s wrath and suffered his machiavellian importunations! Besides dropping persons embroiled in allegations and controversies is generally a safe thing in politics to avoid criticisms from the Opposition.

Of course the more radical – and most controversial – approach is to offer and include some prominent Opposition figures cabinet posts.

There are – to a PM/leader – pros & cons in such a move.

The cons: his warlords will object. Why reward Opposition?

The arguments for:

· It looks inclusive; it has propaganda value in deflecting allegations that one’s minister is not appointed on merits but rewards for blind allegiance;

· It silences or confuses and sometimes disunites the opposition. Here there is concept of Cabinet solidarity. Under the Westminster system, decisions of the Cabinet, once taken, must be honoured by all members of the Cabinet, regardless of their personal/partisan views. As Cabinet members are also members of the Parliament, they must vote in Parliament in accordance with all Cabinet decisions. This potentially places a member of an opposition party who is also a member of the Cabinet in an invidious position, namely voting against their party!

· If you think about it, it is not out of line with the Barisan Nasional original concept (conceived during Tun Razak’s time). To diffuse Opposition parties, behave like Amoeba – absorb them within fold of coalition so that they “power share”, a euphemism for partaking in spoils and largese in gravy train. If one now offers cabinet positions to politicians of opposition parties outside the coalition, it is just one extra step further beyond the existing coalition arrangement for same purpose….

· The only downside : Opposition cabinet ministers will then have knowledge of contracts awarded to who and who at cabinet level. However what’s the worry if you’re transparent govt and minutes of cabinet are covered by Official Secrets Act?