KUALA LUMPUR – Former transport minister Anthony Loke has suggested that the government and the opposition once again sit down to discuss implementing a second memorandum of understanding (MoU) and not hold a general election in the near future.
Loke (Seremban-PH) said this was not the right time to hold elections due to the high number of Covid-19 infections nationwide.
“Now is not the right time to hold an election. In Johor, five of the 14 DAP candidates are infected with Covid-19.
“I want to suggest to Bera (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) not to bow to the pressure of Bagan Datuk (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) to hold elections,” he said when debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Loke said that “MoU 2.0” can be negotiated after the government approves the constitutional amendment on the anti-party hopping bill expected to be tabled on March 21.
He said that among the things that can be negotiated is the Area Fund Development Act to give each MP an equal allocation, regardless of whether they are in the government or opposition.
Apart from that, Loke said other matters that can be discussed include key positions in the government such as the appointment of the attorney-general and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner being made through Parliament.
“I hope this MoU will be an example to the people and prove that the democratic process in our country is still flourishing.
“We can oppose each other during elections, but at the same time we can also work together between the government and opposition.”
In September last year, the government and Pakatan Harapan (PH) made history when they first signed the MoU on Transformation and Political Stability.
The MoU signed at the Parliament building covers six items, namely the strengthening of the Covid-19 plan, administrative transformation and parliamentary reform, independence of judicial institutions, the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, and the establishment of the steering committee.
Apart from that, among the things also agreed upon between both sides of the political divide was to not dissolve Parliament until July 31. – The Vibes, March 10, 2022
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