Loke: Harapan willing to discuss MOU 2.0 if anti-hopping law passed

 

Pakatan Harapan is willing to negotiate with Ismail Sabri Yaakob on extending the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the BN-led federal government and the opposition bloc after it expires on July 31 if the anti-party hopping law is passed in Parliament, said DAP. 

“Once the anti-hopping law is passed (in Parliament), as long as the prime minister wants to continue to discuss with us, we are open-minded about it,” said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke (above, left). 

“But the premise is that the anti-hopping law must be passed before there is room for discussion,” he said when asked in a press conference in Seremban today.

This is despite Umno having decided on April 14 that the MOU would not be extended any further after its deadline in July.

The MOU was signed between Ismail Sabri and the four Harapan leaders on Sept 13, 2021, to restore political stability after yet another change in government in August that year, in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for more bipartisanship.

It covers the strengthening of Covid-19 management, governance transformation, parliamentary reforms, ensuring judicial independence, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the formation of a steering committee.

It included a conditional promise by Harapan to not oust Ismail Sabri or block Budget 2022.

Putrajaya, under the MOU, had promised not to dissolve Parliament until at least July 31 in order to have enough time to implement various reforms sought by Harapan in exchange for the opposition not obstructing key government agendas.

GE15 depends on PKR

On a separate note, Loke said the determining factor on whether Harapan could regain Putrajaya in the 15th general election (GE15) will be PKR’s performance.

The Seremban MP said this is because PKR will contest the highest number of seats and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is also the opposition leader in Parliament. 

“PKR should play a leading role, DAP would definitely give our full cooperation and support for Harapan. 

“(To return to Putrajaya) it won’t be enough to just keep DAP’s seats, it also depends on if PKR and Amanah could defend their seats or gain more support,” added Loke.

He also said there is still room for PKR to expand in Negeri Sembilan.

The Harapan state government in Negeri Sembilan comprises of 11 DAP assemblypersons, followed by PKR (6) and Amanah (3).

Harapan only has a four-seat majority as the opposition BN controls 16 seats. - Mkini