Ending the MoU will free Ismail’s hand, says Annuar

 

Annuar Musa, a minister in Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government, said Ismail would no longer be bound not to call a general election. (Bernama pic)

JOHOR BAHRU: Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s position as prime minister is not affected by Umno’s decision not to extend his government’s political agreement with Pakatan Harapan (PH) after July 31, says party veteran Annuar Musa.

Annuar, a member of Ismail’s government, said the prime minister currently continued to receive support from MPs of the ruling coalition as well as the opposition.

“The decision not to extend the MoU does not mean that the opposition cannot support the prime minister,” he said, Bernama reported.

“Instead, the prime minister is no longer bound (by any agreement) and can carry out his responsibilities including advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament.

“The absence of a written bond which does not allow (Parliament to be dissolved) shows the Supreme Council’s wisdom in the matter, which gives more freedom to the prime minister,” he said.

The memorandum of understanding between Ismail and PH leaders is a confidence agreement. The opposition pledged to keep his government in power in return for political reforms being carried out, among them an anti-hopping law, and the introduction of recall elections, and a pledge that a general election would not be called before July 31 when the agreement expires.

Ismail has the support of 116 MPs in his coalition. PH has 90 members in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.

Umno’s Supreme Council, at a meeting chaired by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Thursday, said the party had decided that the political agreement should not be extended when it expires on July 31.

Ismail is an Umno vice-president and a member of the Supreme Council. He has said his government will abide by the decision, but there could be changes before July 31.

Annuar, who is the communications and multimedia minister in Ismail’s Cabinet, said that everyone, including political parties, should prepare for the 15th general election.

“When will it be held? We leave it to the prime minister to decide. There are many factors that need to be taken into account, including the party’s readiness as well as the situation in the country,” he said.

Annuar made his remarks after calling on veteran artiste Abd Rashid Yahaya, or Mat Sentol, at his home in Jalan Rajawali, Larkin, here today. - FMT