[UPDATED] MoU extension doesn’t matter, cooperation to continue on key matters: PM

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will abide by his party Umno’s decision against extending the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Putrajaya and opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He said he told opposition leaders that the extension did not matter as it was more important to have an understanding in matters such as legislating party hopping and political funding, reported Free Malaysia Today.

“With or without an agreement, we will continue (to cooperate) on matters that are important to the people and that we agree on.”

He also indicated that he notified Umno of the government’s decision and that the opposition concurred that it did not need a written agreement.

During the PKR national congress nearly two weeks ago, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said PH would be discussing the terms of the MoU involving a political ceasefire with Ismail Sabri’s government.

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 27, 2022