KUALA LUMPUR – The Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council has expressed its willingness to cooperate on the seven reforms announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government.
In a statement today, the council confirmed its meeting with cabinet members to discuss the contents of the MoU as well as provide additional suggestions and views to Ismail Sabri’s reforms.
Representing PH were PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke, DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo, PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, and PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil.
The government was represented by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, 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 meeting discussed a number of policy matters and specific programmes, where emphasis was also given to the need to carry out reforms in the economic and public health fields to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In addition, issues regarding Dewan Rakyat sittings, confidence votes and matters related to the improvement of governance were also discussed.
“Pakatan Harapan is of the view that an additional fiscal injection of RM45 billion should be made into the RM65 billion Covid-19 fund,” the council said.
The fund, the council claims, has only RM8.6 billion left to fund pandemic management efforts and provide financial assistance to the people.
“In addition, there should be an exemption on interest payments on the moratorium on bank loans for the B40 and M40 groups.”
The PH presidential council also discussed political reform measures that need to be included in the memorandum, such as strengthening the implementation of Undi18, parliamentary reform, and the independence of the judiciary, among others.
“Representatives also discussed the issue of the vote of confidence, as well as the mechanism for monitoring the implementation of this MoU.
“In essence, the presidential council would tend to agree to this MoU in order to save the lives and livelihoods of the people, subject to the details of draft improvements that need to be refined by representatives of both parties before it can be finalised,” it said.
“Let us mobilise all our strength to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and overcome the economic recession that is plaguing our country.” – The Vibes, September 11, 2021
