Defending MOU, Kit Siang believes Ismail won't be unbeatable in GE15

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang acknowledged the divided public opinion over Pakatan Harapan’s decision to strike a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the government, with some critics believing that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob could emerge stronger.

However, Lim maintained that Malaysians should set their differences aside in the face of the Covid-19 threat and believes helping Ismail Sabri to defeat the pandemic does not necessarily make him unbeatable.

“The theory that Ismail Sabri will be unbeatable in the 15th general election if we help him to win the war against Covid-19 pandemic may not be correct at all.

“(Former UK prime minister) Winston Churchill was the war hero of Great Britain when he defeated Hitler of Germany in May 1945.

“But in the July 1945 general election in the UK, his Conservative Party was crushed by the Labour Party, which won a landslide victory with 393 seats against Conservative’s 197 seats.

“Who will win GE15 will depend on who will have a vision for a better future for all Malaysians,” Lim, who is the Iskandar Puteri MP, said in a statement.

Lim also stressed that the opposition has not betrayed its ideals by signing the MOU.

“This is why one of the terms of the confidence-supply-reform (CSR) MOU is its full disclosure, fully in accordance with the principles of transparency and accountability as we have no secret clauses or understandings apart from the CSR MOU.

“We are in politics because we have a vision for Malaysia to become a better country – a world-class great nation. But this requires a long struggle counted in years and even decades as it cannot be achieved overnight,” he said.

Lim said some of the agreements secured in the MOU included items that he had fought for, for over 50 years, including anti-hopping laws and equal allocations for all MPs.

“Now, this is going to be a reality.

“Should we forego the opportunity to realise some of our ideas because of a unique set of political circumstances, especially at a time when the country is faced with an existential threat - the Covid-19 pandemic - and needs the unity of all Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region or politics to fight this common enemy?” he said.

The MOU will see the government implement several reforms that have long been demanded by the opposition.

In exchange, Harapan agrees not to obstruct Ismail Sabri’s legislative agenda that could have a bearing on the survival of his government, such as Budget 2022.

This is on the condition that he consults with Harapan before the budget is tabled. - Mkini