KOTA KINABALU – DAP spoke to set the record straight on the government-opposition memorandum of understanding (MoU), after Warisan’s leaders claimed that the tension between Warisan and DAP is due to the latter’s betrayal.
DAP central executive committee member Chan Foong Hin outlined the three “wild allegations” that Warisan has been making recently:
- That the MoU was signed for Pakatan Harapan to get funding
- PH can still support the anti-hopping bill without the MoU
- DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng personally met Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor to push for a Sabah-level MoU
“When the previous prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin left his position on July 8, 2021, the next prime minister from Umno, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, had such a slim majority in the House that he could be removed anytime by the withdrawal of confidence.
“The MoU was to ensure political stability in Malaysia with a bipartisan understanding, whilst delaying the dissolution of Parliament until after the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic becomes better, so that a general election can be held without risking the health of Malaysians.
“The rakyat should not be the victim of instability within the ruling party. Furthermore, the MoU was never kept secret. It is available here on the Malaysian Parliament’s website,” Chan said in a statement today.
The Kota Kinabalu MP then clarified that the terms of the MoU included that an anti-hopping law has to be enacted.
“Of course PH can support an anti-hopping bill even without the MoU, but if not for the MoU, the government wouldn’t have placed the anti-hopping bill high on its agenda, or brought it to the cabinet where it currently is.
“Without the MoU, the anti-hopping law would have been a non-starter. Ismail Sabri’s government would not even have thought of bringing an anti-hopping law.
“De facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s recent statements clearly exhibit how difficult it was to get the anti-hopping law tabled, as there was resistance even within Ismail Sabri’s cabinet.
“I urge Warisan leaders to not jeopardise the chance to get the anti-hopping law tabled and passed in Parliament on April 11 by demonising the MoU,” he said.
Chan explained that the alleged secret meeting between Lim Guan Eng and Hajiji happened only as a matter of courtesy as Hajiji as the Sabah chief minister had invited Lim as DAP secretary-general (at the time last year) to meet.
He said on October 14, 2021, prior to meeting Hajiji, Lim had actually paid a courtesy call to Warisan president and Sabah opposition leader Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to inform and brief Shafie about the meeting to be held with Hajiji.
Lim had again met Shafie after meeting with Hajiji on October 18, 2021, to inform Shafie of what had transpired during the meeting with Hajiji.
“Every single detail (of the meeting) was shared with Shafie. All due procedures have been followed whereby Shafie as Sabah’s opposition leader was updated and notified.
“How can Warisan leaders now claim that DAP had ended up ‘bypassing, disrespecting, and betraying’ Shafie? Clearly, there is no betrayal nor any secrecy,” Chan stressed.
He said the opposition must adopt the principle of mutual respect and agree to disagree, like when DAP and PH respected Warisan for not participating in the MoU.
He also said that PH’s success in rejecting the motion to pass the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 provision allowing detention without trial of up to 20 days shows the effectiveness of the MoU between PH and the federal government.
“I hope Warisan leaders can start to understand how the MoU works and how it is actually beneficial to the people. If Warisan leaders such as Datuk Junz Wong still wish to spin and claim that PH is ‘no longer the opposition’, then Wong shows political immaturity by spreading falsehoods without recognising the fact that the MoU works.
“Why should Warisan act confrontational against DAP and PH? From recruiting DAP members to contesting against DAP in the Johor election, it is splitting up the opposition to the benefit of Barisan Nasional.
“Worse still, Warisan failed to keep its deposit in the Johor election. Six candidates contributed RM30,000 to the national treasury,” he said.
Chan added that avoiding multiple corner fights against each other in the 15th general election is more important than attacking DAP/PH.
“After all, unity is the value in the heart of Warisan’s leaders and followers, isn’t it?” he asked. –The Vibes, April 3, 2022
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