Loke to PM: Let's not call for GE, but work on MOU 2.0 with Harapan
PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob does not need to give in to pressure from Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to call for a general election (GE) as he may choose to continue working with Pakatan Harapan beyond July 31, after the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the opposition coalition and the government expires.
This is the message conveyed by DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke (Harapan-Seremban) while debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob does not need to give in to pressure from Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to call for a general election (GE) as he may choose to continue working with Pakatan Harapan beyond July 31, after the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the opposition coalition and the government expires.
This is the message conveyed by DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke (Harapan-Seremban) while debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Loke even tossed the idea of exploring a second MOU between the federal government and Harapan if the promises stipulated in the existing MOU, particularly on the tabling of anti-hopping law, are fulfilled.
"I would like to suggest that Ismail Sabri not succumb to Zahid's pressure. We know that he will pressure (Ismail Sabri) to dissolve Parliament next week and hold a general election.
"My suggestion is that after amending the Federal Constitution for the anti-hopping law, let us discuss extending the MOU or (creating) MOU 2.0 after July 31. We can have an agreement where we can postpone the general election while Covid-19 has not subsided, maybe until the parliamentary term ends," he said.
The government and the opposition can work on other reforms in the MOU 2.0, Loke added.
Equal allocation, big post appointments
The former transport minister mentioned the formulation of a law on equal constituency development funds and the appointment of the attorney-general (AG) and MACC chief commissioner as among the reforms.
"We want these appointments to go through Parliament unlike (the current practice) now where the AG’s term is extended by one year through a statement issued by the chief secretary to the government. This is not a good practice," Loke said.
He reiterated that Harapan will still contest against BN in the next polls even if they are now working with each other. This is for the sake of the people.
Mounting pressure
Ismail Sabri is said to be facing mounting pressure from within his party, particularly from the faction aligned with Zahid to dissolve Parliament. They are citing that the administration in Putrajaya is unstable.
Last week, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan urged Ismail Sabri to consider the party's demand for GE15 to be held soon.
"Umno will push (for GE15) but it is up to the prime minister to make the final decision. As a party leader, how can he not listen to the party, right?" Mohamad was quoted as saying.
Umno will hold a four-day annual general assembly starting next Wednesday, March 16.
Ismail Sabri's government signed the MOU on Transformation and Political Stability with Harapan last September to strengthen political stability amid the Covid-19 pandemic through bipartisan cooperation.
The government promised a slew of reforms within a time frame, as well as not to dissolve Parliament before July 31.
In return, Harapan promised not to use its votes to oust Ismail Sabri nor block Budget 2022 as long as the reforms are on schedule.
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