PETALING JAYA: The memorandum of understanding (MOU) that is due to be signed by the government and Pakatan Harapan later at 5pm Monday (Sept 13) isn’t a binding agreement, and the Opposition has the prerogative to back out if certain agreements aren’t met.
Nevertheless, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim, who is from PKR, said the MOU between Pakatan and the government must be viewed positively by all, as it is an opportunity to better address the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy.
“We must be positive thinking. There are good reforms here but there must also be honesty.
“If this MOU fails or the government does not perform, there is an exit clause. We can back out from this memorandum as it isn’t binding,” he said when contacted on Monday (Sept 13).
Hassan explained that there have been meetings by both sides recently, where Pakatan was represented by a committee of five MPs, and the government was also represented by five backbencher MPs.
The MP also dropped a few hints on the MOU, as he alluded that among the agreed terms by government and Pakatan included an RM45bil allocation to assist Malaysians who are economically affected by the pandemic.
Hassan added that other agreed terms included Parliamentary reforms and Bills that involved Federal spending, would be jointly negotiated with the Opposition before it was presented in the House.
“So these are good things for the rakyat and for us to fight Covid-19,” he said.
“And at the same time, Pakatan is still the Opposition and it can play its role as check-and-balance. This is not a unity government. It’s for us to fight Covid-19 and save the economy as well as lives,” he added.
Hassan also said there would be a monitoring body to ensure that agreed terms on the MOU will be implemented.
“I was informed that there will be a timeframe on implementing the agreed terms and there will also be a monitoring body,” he added.
The Government and Pakatan were expected to sign an MOU at 5pm Monday (Sept 13) on bipartisan cooperation on proposed reforms to ensure political stability in the fight against Covid-19.
Representatives from the government and the Opposition said they have finalised the MOU on proposed reforms to ensure political stability in the fight against Covid-19 and to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The government and Pakatan, in a joint statement, also said the MOU will be signed at Parliament later Monday (Sept 13) at 5pm.
