Annuar claims opposition to Sosma motion nullifies MOU with Harapan
Pakatan Harapan’s rejection of a parliamentary motion to renew a key provision of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) is tantamount to violating the understanding between the coalition and the ruling government, according to Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa.
He claimed this would be a “blessing in disguise” as it would allow Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for the 15th general election to be held.
This is despite Article 9.1 of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and the opposition bloc stipulating that...
Pakatan Harapan’s rejection of a parliamentary motion to renew a key provision of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) is tantamount to violating the understanding between the coalition and the ruling government, according to Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa.
Annuar (above) claimed this would be a “blessing in disguise” as it would allow Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for the 15th general election to be held.
This is despite Article 9.1 of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and the opposition bloc stipulating that the agreement would not bar its function as check-and-balance against government powers.
In a Facebook post today, Annuar argued that voting down the Sosma motion violated Article 3.3(b) of the MOU, which according to him stipulates that Harapan will either support or abstain from any motion tabled by the government.
“But today, on March 23, Harapan has violated the MOU by abruptly demanding a bloc vote on a motion tabled by the home minister, and then voting against the motion.
“To me, the move nullifies the MOU, and this is a blessing in disguise because the prime minister is now free to terminate or suspend the MOU’s implementation.
“It would ease the prime minister’s responsibility - with the Yang di-Pertuan’s Agong’s consent - to carry out the Umno general assembly’s mandate, especially in relation to the dissolution of Parliament,” he said.
The Ketereh MP is a signatory of the MOU as a witness on the government’s behalf.
It should be noted that Article 3.3(b) is attached with several conditions, and is only applicable to government bills and motions where its failure amounts to a show of no-confidence against the government.
The full text of Article 3.3(b) translates as:
“In return for fulfilling and implementing the transformation within the timeline agreed in the appendix of this MOU, Harapan agrees to implement the following at the material time […] subject to the fulfilment and implementation of this MOU, [Harapan will] support or abstain in the approval of any government motion or bill where the failure to approve it is a form of no-confidence towards the government, after the drafting of the bill is first negotiated and mutually agreed in principle.”
Article 3.3 is one of several provisions in the MOU where its violation would result in its termination. A copy of the MOU can be found at the bottom of this article.
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At a press conference earlier today, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke also stressed that opposition MPs did not violate the MOU.
“Only two matters were listed in the MOU that required us to support the government: the tabling of the budget, and during the confidence vote of Ismail Sabri.
“Apart from these two matters, a negotiation session will have to take place for us to discuss,” he said, adding that the government did not consult the opposition on Sosma prior to its motion.
Earlier today, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin tabled a motion to renew the enforcement period of Section 4(5) of the law.
Section 4(5) allows the police to detain people for up to 28 days without trial or a remand order from a magistrate, but Section 4(11) stipulates that both houses of Parliament must renew Section 4(5) every five years for it to remain in force.
There were 86 MPs who voted against the motion versus 84 who supported it. Another 50 MPs were absent.
This means the provision will no longer be in force once it lapses on July 31, 2022, though the government may simply table the motion again at any time when they are assured of their MPs’ attendance.
The MOU on Transformation and Political Stability was signed by Ismail Sabri and top Harapan figures on Sept 13 last year.
Under the agreement, Harapan pledged not to oust Ismail Sabri or block Budget 2022 in exchange for the government’s implementation of a slew of reforms and agreeing not to dissolve Parliament earlier than July 31 this year.
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