MOU not 'scripture' that forbids early GE - Zahid

 

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the government and the opposition is not a "scripture" (kitab suci) that will prevent the 15th general election (GE15) from being held earlier than July next year, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to a report by Utusan's Mingguan Malaysia, the Umno president stressed that this did not mean the agreement had to be "violated", but merely that negotiations could be held to reach a joint decision.

“We respect the MOU, but it is not a holy book, far from the verses recorded in the Quran. Other than that, God willing, it can be changed.

“I don't think we should violate it but the best thing is that we negotiate and all parties certainly have different views. The majority decision will be made based on the results of the discussions held," he said. 

Zahid is seen as leading the charge for an early national election in the aftermath of Umno's big win in the Malacca polls last weekend.

The Bagan Datuk MP emphasised that he did not have the power to determine the date of GE15 and any decision for it to be held early will be based on advice that would take into account various factors including the MOU and the people's interests which is a priority. 

Putrajaya, under the MOU, had promised not to dissolve Parliament until at least July 21, 2022, in order to have enough time to implement various reforms sought by Pakatan Harapan in exchange for the opposition not to obstruct key government agendas.

Members of the opposition and government during an MOU signing in September

However, Umno Youth leader Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said there is no certainty that the MOU will last until next July as he claimed Harapan did not appear serious in upholding its end of the bargain when it encouraged defectors to bring down the Umno-Bersatu Malacca government.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan also called for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to consider bringing forward GE15, saying that the sentiments of the people are now firmly with BN.

KJ opposes early election

However, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said his ministry is firmly against the idea.

He stressed that it would be “very irresponsible” to hold an unnecessary national election during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A general election does not need to be called yet and the ministry’s stance is that it is not suitable for us to have one right now.

“I would like to emphasise two things. Firstly, the (Covid-19) case situation is still worrying and hospital admissions are rising.

“And there has been an emergence of a new variant," he said. 

The position of the ministry, he added, is to advise strongly against a general election anytime soon. 

“I think that if a general election is held at this time, it will be very irresponsible.” - Mkini