KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno/Barisan Nasional must immediately exit the loose cooperation.
The BN chairman said the failure of the motion brought by the government to extend the detention period under section 4 (5) of SOSMA 2012 is shocking.
“If we refer to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Perikatan Nasional and the opposition (Pakatan Harapan-PH), Article 3 clearly states that the Opposition must agree, or abstain, in any motion pushed by the government.
“It is one of the steps taken to create political stability in the current administration.
“However, when the motion failed due to lack of support from the Opposition, it is appropriate for all of us to conclude that they have broken their promises, violated agreements and completely ignored their previous commitments,” he said in a FB posting.
The party president also explained that this situation reflects several things that must be taken seriously.
“First, the opposition is not really interested in creating political stability. In fact, the PH MPs are actually very likely to forget their promises and commitments easily. In my view, there is no point for us to continue with them.
“Second, the government must have its own majority. It must be a strong one that does need the courtesy and discretion of the opposition. Such a government will not be respected, unstable and will not be able to present and succeed in good policies smoothly.”
He further said the MoU between the government and the Opposition also seems to be nothing more than a promise on paper.
“If asked about my stance and the party, I think everything is very clear. In fact, our decision and stance during the party General Assembly is rational and well-founded.”
Sharing his view is Youth Chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who said the government cannot be governed forever by relying on the kindness of the Opposition.
“How can political stability be achieved if the country continues like that, and how can investor confidence be achieved if the government is seen as unstable and can be threatened at any time,” he said.
In the MoU signed on 13 September 2021, Article 3.3 (b) stipulates that the PH (Pakatan Harapan) agrees to “take a stand in support or neutrality in any motion submitted by the government”.
“This means that PH has promised not to reject any government proposal in Parliament if it is tabled,” he said in a post on Facebook.
