Umno can't make unilateral decisions on MOU, says Khalid

 

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a deal between Pakatan Harapan and the BN-led federal government, not with Umno, reminded Amanah communications director Khalid Samad.

This comes after the Umno supreme council decided on April 14 that the MOU will not be extended any further after its deadline this July.

“It should be explained here that the MOU is an agreement and a deal done between Harapan and the federal government, instead of with Umno.

“That is why any decision to continue or end the MOU is subject to the decision of the prime minister, not the decision of the Umno supreme council,” Khalid said in a statement last night.

Harapan’s efforts with the MOU are in accordance with the Agong, he said, who had decreed for political parties to maintain political stability so that the government can focus on combating the Covid-19 pandemic, restoring the economy and ensuring the rakyat’s wellbeing.

That is why, he said, Harapan had been pursuing initiatives set in the MOU so that political stability can be achieved.

‘Umno the real culprit’

Khalid said it is unfortunate that Umno - who he said is trying to portray its party as being able to provide stability - is more interested in playing politics and snatching power.

“It is clear Umno is the real culprit for the political instability for the past two years,” he said.

He is confident that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob can look at the MOU for the good of the rakyat and the country, instead of Umno’s “narrow-minded politics”.

The Umno supreme council had also announced that Ismail Sabri will be their prime minister candidate for the upcoming 15th general election.

Khalid said this is reminiscent of what happened after the Johor snap polls last month, where Umno had initially promised Hasni Mohammad as their menteri besar candidate but later installed Onn Hafiz Ghazi as the menteri besar.

“Is Umno’s move of announcing Ismail Sabri as the prime minister candidate a trick to urge him to speed up the dissolution of Parliament so that a general election can be held and subsequently pave the way for Umno to appoint a new prime minister who is more prepared to save the positions of (Umno president) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and (former prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak?” he asked. - Mkini