MoU with Ismail not a CSA, say Pakatan MPs

PETALING JAYA: The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the ruling coalition under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is not a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA).

Two MPs, Subang Jaya MP Wong Chen and Selayang MP William Leong, in a live discussion last night, clarified that both the government and PH were unanimous in not having a CSA, adding that the MoU was a political agreement with an exit clause in the event that either party defaults.

They said that this will ensure that the opposition coalition could continue to carry out its role as check and balance to the government.

According to Leong, in one of the clauses (Clause 3.3A) of the MoU, it was stated that PH must be consulted and must agree with the Budget before it is tabled.

“So, if it was a CSA, then PH would have ended up supporting Ismail without knowing the context of the upcoming 2022 Budget. That would have been absolutely irresponsible on our part.

“If we were to enter into a CSA, the type used in the UK, effectively there will be no opposition. We would be forming a kind of unity government without ministers,” he said.

Leong added that a CSA is used by a minority government when trying to find support from independent MPs and smaller political parties in order to have a working majority.

“PH is not a small political party trying to help the prime minister form a majority in Parliament.”

Meanwhile, Wong stressed that there are monitoring committees to check on the progress of reforms, with meetings held at least once every two weeks.

He added that the MoU will actually strengthen the opposition’s role as they have set out parliamentary reforms as an immediate milestone for implementation by the government.

“Once parliamentary reforms, such as the Parliamentary Services Act comes into play, we will become stronger,” Wong said.

He also hoped that other opposition parties such as MUDA and Warisan engage with the government.

“You can have separate agreements which emphasises different points, it is up to you and I hope that they would do that.”

The MoU on transformation and political stability, covering six key areas, was signed on Monday by Ismail and PH party leaders comprising PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau.

It is aimed at bringing about the political stability needed to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and reviving the country’s economy. — Free Malaysia Today