Annuar: Similar CSA deal with other opposition parties may follow

 

Umno's Ketereh MP Annuar Musa, who was part of the negotiating team in the formulation of a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) between the government and Pakatan Harapan, said similar deals may also be possible with other opposition parties.

"This is just a start between the government and a major opposition coalition, which is Harapan.

"We believe it will be followed with other parties in the opposition because we still have Warisan, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejaung) and Muda, as well as independent MPs," Annuar (above) said in a recorded message after the deal was inked yesterday.

Even though the signatories of the agreement only involved government and Pakatan Harapan leaders, Annuar, who is also the communications and multimedia minister, believed that it was not exclusive.

"The agreement is not exclusive to Harapan. What we have jointly agreed upon can also be extended to other like-minded parties and the government can take similar action," he said.

The deal - dubbed the Memorandum of Understanding on Transformation and Political Stability - was signed between the government and top Harapan leaders in Parliament yesterday.

The government was represented by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Annuar.

Pakatan Harapan was represented by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau and Upko deputy president Donald Peter Mojuntin.

Also present were Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun and Dewan Negara President Rais Yatim.

Under the deal, Harapan undertakes not to obstruct the government on critical votes in Parliament that could have an implication on its survival, such as the budget.

In exchange, the government will undertake a number of policy decisions and reform efforts advocated by Harapan.

Annuar said the deal was based on mutual agreement and he gave his assurance that the opposition can still play its check and balance role.

"This is not a new political alignment, nor is it a unity government.

"It is merely a means to seek common ground between the opposition and government," he added. - Mkini