With two polar opposites working together for the first time in forming a federal government, the spotlight is now on Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) on what the cabinet composition of Malaysia's first-ever unity government would look like.

The Kerajaan Perpaduan Malaysia, helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and formed after a five-day political impasse, features not just a historic partnership between PH and BN, but will also see the inclusion of the Borneo blocs: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

The biggest question, however, will be how Anwar plans to incorporate the various elements, particularly BN, into the ministerial line-up.

Observers believe that BN's cabinet representatives would be far from clear-cut. 

This, they said, would likely be due to an expected cull of those who had spoken out against BN chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahidi Hamidi, following the coalition's disastrous 15th General Election (GE15) outcome.

BN won 30 seats, marking its worst-ever performance in a general election.

It nevertheless brokered a deal with PH to join the federal administration after Perikatan Nasional (PN) rejected cooperation with PH on a unity government.

Observers also believe that Zahid, who will be the key person in proposing BN candidates for the cabinet, would not be averse to dropping those he had deemed as having gone against him in the GE15 aftermath.

These included former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, former senior defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Johor BN chairman Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Ten BN members of parliament reportedly signed statutory declarations backing PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the prime ministerial candidate, only to retract them later.

Zahid had warned BN MPs to toe the party line, and had said that those who wanted to work with PN would only "shorten the lives" of BN and Umno.

Political analyst Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul said he believed that Zahid would not take the snub lightly, and would have no issue with leaving them out of the cabinet.

"This leaves Anwar with a pool of 18 BN MPs to choose from, if we take out the 10 who wanted to support Muhyiddin. We can also omit Zahid and Umno No. 2 Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who are being touted as possible deputy prime ministerial candidates."

He said he believed that Zahid, despite leaving out the MCA president from his cabinet candidates, may extend an olive branch to the BN component to preserve unity in the coalition.

"Wee could be replaced with Tanjung Piai MP Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng in the cabinet."

Ainul believed that Zahid may offer up names such as Umno secretary-general and Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Lenggong MP Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, former finance minister II Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

BN, he said, could be granted portfolios such as Education, Human Resources, Science, Technology and Innovation, Agriculture and Food Industries, as well as Unity.

"BN may try to bargain (for bigger roles) but they know that they are the minority, so they will accept what is being offered to them by the prime minister."

Ainul said the position of finance minister, if not held by Anwar himself, could go to PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, a chartered accountant.

On DAP, Ainul said although reports had claimed that the party had stated that it was seeking only two cabinet posts, this was highly unlikely.

He believed that DAP could secure as many as five ministerial positions.

Anwar, meanwhile, would be keen to boost his relationship with GPS, a late addition to the government.

AHe yesterday said relations between the federal and Sarawak governments would be strengthened under the unity government, following a courtesy call from Sarawak Premier and GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at the former's home.

"InsyaAllah, the relationship between the federal and Sarawak governments will be strengthened in the plan to create a better Malaysia."

GPS, which secured 23 seats, had soon after the election results, declared that it was backing PN to form the government.

However, it later announced that it would instead join the PH-BN government, which it said was in line with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's wishes for a unity government.

Its announcement also came after DAP leaders Lim Guan Eng and Anthony Loke offered an open apology to the people of Sarawak for any offensive statements it may have made in the past.

Ainul said he believed that GPS would be given the deputy prime minister position and two ministerial posts.

"Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof could be the GPS MP for the deputy prime minister post.

"We might also see Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri returning to the lineup."