“The crux of the problem is Malaysia’s nation-building is so much about politics and politicking and not about building strong institutions and dealing with the economy,” said Ooi Kee Beng, an analyst at Singapore’s Institute of South East Asian Studies.

Stemming from the need to distribute political spoils to the three ideologically disparate parties in the opposition “Pakatan Rakyat” front, their respective state governments have began handing out positions to their supporters. They range from directorships in state firms to city hall councillors and village heads.

Rubbing salt in the wound, federal housing minister Ong Ka Chuan said last week his government would set up special federal offices in the five states to handle funds.

“Since these states come under opposition rule, we need to set up Federal development offices to handle the allocations,” he said.

Veteran politician Koh Tsu Koon, who ruled Penang for 18 years until he was ousted in the polls, blamed the new government for sitting on projects that were approved during his time.

“But if the state government wants to play its own game, how is the federal government going to work with the state?” he said.

The bedrock of Malaysia’s ruling coalition is Abdullah’s United Malays National Organization (UMNO), which marks its 62nd birthday on Sunday deeply divided after the election. Even Abdullah’s own political future is in doubt.

“Getting the act together has to start with UMNO and UMNO is very split at the moment and Abdullah doesn’t exude confidence in governance,” said Ooi, the political analyst.

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