The opposition already has a shadow cabinet, according to Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin.

However, he said the opposition leader should make this public and demand formal recognition.

"We’ve been given our portfolios. Leader should just announce and ask government for formal recognition of shadow cabinet like (in) Westminster," Khairy said in a tweet.

He was responding to a social media user who had asked when the opposition would announce their shadow cabinet.

On July 26, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa had said that opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should be able to announce the shadow cabinet the following week.

He said BN would not label the group as a shadow cabinet although it would be "similar in nature".

The group is expected to comprise members of parliament from BN parties, namely Umno, MCA, and MIC.