PETALING JAYA: Some nine weeks after the May 9 polls, Barisan Nasional will have a “Shadow Cabinet” up and running to monitor and provide check and balance on the new Pakatan Harapan government.

The Shadow Cabinet, which will also come up with suggestions and contributions for the rakyat, may be formed as early as next week, say Barisan MPs.

It is believed that MPs from Barisan parties – Umno, MCA, MIC and STAR – will meet today to finalise details, such as the Shadow Cabinet’s scope of duties.

MCA deputy president and Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) said the Shadow Cabinet might be set up soon.

“Possibly by next week,” he said at Parliament House.

Dr Wee said the Shadow Cabinet could be formed either within the Opposition bloc or within the individual party.

“For example, PAS or Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) may form their own Shadow Cabinet,” he added.

The current Opposition Leader is Umno president and Bagan Datuk MP Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Shadow Cabinet is a feature of the Westminster parliamentary democracy, which Malaysia follows.

Comprising senior members from the Opposition parties, it’s responsibility is to monitor the policies and actions of the Government and draw up alternative suggestions.

Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the final details were still being hammered out.

“We have several blocs, so the (Shadow Cabinet) terminology is not really representative of what we are going to do,” Annuar said of the different blocs comprising Barisan, PAS and GPS.

He said Barisan planned to have a committee for every ministerial portfolios, compromising lawmakers from the coalition. Currently, Barisan has 55 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

Annuar, who is Ketereh MP, however said these committees would not necessarily be chaired by MPs.

“It can be anyone, civil servants or experts with credibility and a good track record.

“The objective of the committees is not just to play the role of an effective Opposition, but it is also for us to come up with suggestions and contribution for the wellbeing of the rakyat,” he added.

He said that the structure of the committees was ready with the selection and appointment of MPs to be conducted today.

“That will be done first. It may take a little more time to include those who are not MPs. But we hope to get everything ready by early next week.

“We will brief the Barisan supreme council meeting on Friday and will launch it immediately,” he added.

Annuar said the committees were crucial, especially when it came to examining Budget 2019, which is expected to be tabled in November.

The Budget involved numerous policies and as such, the committees needed to be prepared to comb the details of the Pakatan Government’s first expenditure report for the nation, he added.