KUALA LUMPUR – The cooperation agreement between the coalitions under the unity government was signed in an open and sincere manner to ensure political stability, hence enabling the government to focus efforts on national development and solve the people’s problems.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the agreement, mooted by lessons learned from the instability of the previous government due to conflict between the ruling political parties, was made without any hidden agenda or secret agreement.
Fahmi said he saw the cooperation agreement as a continuation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political transformation and stability signed between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the previous government led by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Therefore, there is no issue of the cooperation agreement being autocratic or violating the constitution as claimed by some parties, he said.
“In terms of format, this agreement is the same as the previous MoU. The previous MoU also had a clause that PH promised to support or not reject the 2022 budget or any bill or motion that could have an impact on the government,” he said.
He slammed Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who were reported to have criticised the agreement.
According to him, the two politicians should not criticise the agreement simply because they are not with the unity government now, when they were part of the previous government that signed the MoU with PH.
“To me, Mas Ermieyati and Muhyiddin are hypocrites. Why didn’t they speak out about how autocratic the agreement signed between PH and the previous government was? It is almost similar (to the cooperation agreement). Stop this accusation,” he said.
Apart from that, Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had never closed the door for cooperation with any party for the sake of the country.
“Until now, he has not closed the door. It is only that there are parties who do not want to accept (the offer),” he added.
The five main political coalitions - PH, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, and Warisan – that form the unity government signed the cooperation agreement last Friday.
Among other things, the agreement states that the failure of any MP in the unity government to vote for or support the prime minister in motions relating to confidence votes, supply bills, or procedural motions with effect on the federal government’s stability will be deemed as a resignation. – Bernama, December 18, 2022
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