[UPDATED] Ismail Sabri, Pakatan leaders to sign MoU for reforms tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will be signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakatan Harapan leaders in the Parliament banquet hall tomorrow afternoon.

In a joint press statement, representatives from both sides of the divide said all relevant parties have agreed that the MoU will be signed to return political stability to address the Covid-19 threat and the need for economic recovery.

They said the agreement will be signed at 5pm tomorrow, and those attending are Ismail Sabri as well as PH party leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR), Lim Guan Eng (DAP), Mohamad Sabu (Amanah), and Datuk Seri Madius Tangau (Upko).

“With this understanding, focus and priority will be given by both sides towards a new political landscape through the transformation and reform initiatives to government administration, especially in strengthening the role of the parliamentary institutions.

“Both parties have also agreed to fully disclose the memorandum of understanding to the public as a commitment towards full openness and accountability.”

From the government’s side, the statement was signed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, law minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Jaafar, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

The leaders representing PH were PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke, DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo, PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, and PH communications chief Fahmi Fadzil.

The government and opposition leaders issued the statement after holding a closed-door meeting at St Regis hotel this evening to discuss a slew of reforms.

It is understood that the meeting was held among the 10 leaders from both sides of the divide – a day after the opposition agreed in principle to enter a memorandum of understanding with the government.

The Vibes understands that the meeting began at 6pm this evening and Tengku Zafrul, Hamzah, Shamsul and Salahuddin were seen entering the hotel earlier.

The media was barred from entry.

Yesterday, the opposition said it will reach an agreement with the government based on the need to save lives and livelihoods of the people.

The reforms, which are part of PH’s 14th election manifesto, was proposed by Ismail Sabri last week included the 10-year term limit for the prime minister post, an anti-party-hopping law, and inclusion of the opposition in the National Recovery Council. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021