KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) vice-president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the opposition coalition is open to extending the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on “transformation and political stability” that it inked with the Umno-led federal government last September.
Salahuddin, who is also Amanah deputy president, said that the extension will depend on whether Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is willing to negotiate a review of the memorandum.
He added that there should be no problems in renewing the document after it expires on July 31 as PH welcomes suggestions for the betterment of the people.
“If there are discussions (on a new memorandum), we are willing to consider the options in the interest of the people,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
He added that PH has proven that it is fighting for the people since the memorandum was signed.
The Pulai MP also pointed out that the coalition had accepted motions emerging from the government side for the sake of the people. He pointed out that Budget 2022 was approved unanimously in Parliament without any politicking.
He said this to reporters when met after participating in a flash mob along Jalan Skudai with Johor Amanah leaders, including the party’s state deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and members.
His remarks echo those previously expressed by opposition leader and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who said that the opposition is willing to hold negotiations on a possible extension if the government agrees to do so.
On September 13 last year, Ismail Sabri had, on behalf of the government, inked the memorandum of understanding with leaders of PH components, namely Anwar, then DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
The memorandum encompassed six initiatives – empowerment of Covid-19 plans, administrative transformation, parliamentary reforms, Malaysia Agreement MA63, judicial independence and the establishment of a steering committee.
It was reported on April 14 that the Umno Supreme Council had decided that the memorandum would not be extended beyond July 31.
Subsequently, Ismail, who is Umno vice-president, had said that he would abide by the call. He claimed that he was subject to the decision made by the council.
DAP’s newly minted secretary-general Anthony Loke had responded by saying that the agreement is between the government and the PH opposition bloc, not with Umno’s top brass.
Loke added that PH is not tied to decisions made by the Malay-based party’s Supreme Council.
PKR communication chief Fahmi Fadzil had also stressed that the agreement does not expire until the dissolution of Parliament, and not on July 31 as claimed by Umno. – The Vibes, July 16, 2022
