KUALA LUMPUR – The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the government remains in effect beyond July 31, stressed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The PH chairman explained that only the clause prohibiting the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat before July 31 – allowing the 15th general election (GE15) to be held – will automatically expire.
He added that the MoU is still in place, despite some provisions remaining unfulfilled for now.
“The issues not yet resolved include the question of governance and the failure to control the rising cost of goods,” he was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying to reporters today.
“Governance here covers corruption, which seems to be a daily occurrence. There are too many cases of public funds being mismanaged,” he lamented.
When asked if PH is ready to face GE15 now that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is free to call for one, the PKR president assured that its election machinery are set for action once Parament is dissolved.
“We are ready, but the focus of the government should be on improving the economy to reduce the hardship faced by the people,” he said, questioning the motives behind certain parties pushing for an early election.
“If the only reason is to secure victory for the sake of closing their court cases, this is not tenable. This is no reason for an election to be held,” he said.
“Elections must be held to renew the people’s mandate, not to save some people from being convicted.”
Saying that the opposition coalition is unsatisfied with the way ballooning costs of living have been handled by the government, Anwar pointed out that the lack of substantive action clashes with the luxurious living style of ministers.
“The cost of living is really a burden on the people. All this, while ministers continue their extravagant spending.”
Previously, 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.
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 Sabri, 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.
On September 13 last year, Ismail Sabri had on behalf of the government inked the MoU 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 encompasses six initiatives – empowerment of Covid-19 plans, administrative transformation, parliamentary reforms, Malaysia Agreement MA63, judicial independence, and the establishment of a steering committee. – The Vibes, July 31, 2022
