As the political crisis that unfolded in late February has drawn to a conclusion, sources from within the outgoing Pakatan Harapan administration have claimed that a long list of Dewan Negara vacancies was deliberately kept open to allow any potential new government a free hand in choosing ministers or deputy ministers to be appointed as senators.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, a source also claimed that the delays in filling the 16 Dewan Negara posts cost Harapan the chance to be dominant in the Senate should there be any controversial legislation that needs checking...