Rusdi Omar of Universiti Utara Malaysia said the row gave the impression that the respective components were looking out for themselves instead of working together for the people’s benefit.

He also said there was a need for the three parties to resolve the dispute internally.

“They should think about the future of the unity government if they want to remain in power.

“They should not be focused only on their own rice bowl,” Rusdi told FMT.

He also said that the spat would be detrimental for Amanah as the party was not as strong as PKR and Umno.

The quarrel over the post was sparked after Hulu Selangor Amanah claimed that its deputy chief Roslin Zin was relieved of his duties as coordinator only for the role to be given to Hulu Selangor Umno chief Isa Abu Kasim.

Hulu Selangor Amanah vice chief Syafiq Musa then claimed that Isa was supposed to be appointed as the coordinator for the Batang Kali constituency, but that the post was instead given to Selangor PKR strategy director Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad.

Saifuddin is also the political secretary to menteri besar Amirudin Shari.

Hulu Selangor Amanah has requested that Amirudin return the post of Hulu Bernam coordinator to the party.

The coordinator’s post was created for areas represented by Perikatan Nasional. Such individuals coordinate the constituency development funds given by the Selangor government instead of the assemblymen.

Meanwhile, Zaireeni Azmi of Universiti Sains Malaysia said failure to manage the squabble could lead to a wider rift in the unity government at the state level.

“This will be a litmus test of how far they are willing to compromise when it comes to a power struggle,” he said, adding that the post came with several benefits including financial ones.

“So the leaders must be involved in negotiations and dialogues to find common ground.”