KOTA KINABALU: The incoming prime minister must usher in a new style of politics and look at working closely with the opposition to ensure that the government remains stable enough to focus on the country's needs.

       Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said no government can be stable with just a simple majority in the 220-member Dewan Rakyat.

       "Neither do we need a unity government if the price is a bloated Parliament or inter-ministry rivalry when parties that do not trust each other sit under the same roof," the Tuaran MP said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 18).

       He said there was a need for the new prime minister and government to sign confidence and supply agreements with opposition parties.

       "This would ensure the government's survival on votes of confidence or no confidence, budget and royal speeches in exchange for fair treatment of the opposition and due consideration of the opposition’s views in making laws and policies," he added.

       He said this was also in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s advice for inter-party reconciliation and an end to "winner takes all" politics.

       Upko also backed the 10-point Cross-Party Political Stability Pact proposed by Bersih 2.0, Abim, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Halls.

       Madius said the package is much more comprehensive than Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s seven-point reform package on Aug 13.

       "One glaring omission in Muhyiddin’s package is decentralisation," he added.

       He said decentralisation was needed not only for Sabah and Sarawak, but also the 11 other states in Peninsular Malaysia and the three Federal Territories.

       "It is not enough to have only inter-party collaboration at the Federal level between the government and opposition.

       "We also need greater inter-governmental collaboration between Putrajaya and the states, especially Sabah and Sarawak, which must be given more say in the direction of national policies.

       "The Klang Valley-centred ‘one-size-fits-all’ governance paradigm must be buried together with winner-takes-all politics," added the Opposition party leader.