MoU between govt, PH puts people's interests first above all else

KUALA LUMPUR: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Transformation and Political Stability signed between the government and Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders yesterday is putting people's interests first above all else, said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

He said besides that the MoU also seeks to maintain political and government stability.

"Today we can all put aside political rivalries and put the interests of the people first. Alhamdulillah," he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, the government and PH leaders created national history when they signed the agreement to form bipartisan cooperation based on the Malaysian Family spirit.

The content of the MoU includes enhancing the COVID-19 plan, administrative transformation, parliamentary reforms, independence of the judicial institution, the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) and the formation of steering committees.

UMNO information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan said he hoped that the MoU would benefit the people and the country through the policies that would be implemented to achieve stability.

"The involvement of the opposition in discussions or (giving) ideas, will of course help contribute to political stability which has been the main issue in recent times even if it is the government that decides in the end," he said in a statement.

He said the signing of the MoU offers hope that the government and the opposition can work together under the deliberative democracy norm especially in Parliament, towards producing the best outcome for the people by achieving political stability.

Meanwhile, PAS information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad said the MoU provides a positive image of the country's political landscape that seeks to create stability while working together to free the country from COVID-19 threats.

He said the MoU is also in line with the mature and prosperous political culture introduced by the party that should be at the core of all political parties to ensure the country's well-being.

"Hopefully, with the signing of this memorandum of understanding, the government and the opposition can work together as best as possible for the welfare of the people and the country," he said in a statement.

Gerakan secretary-general Mak Kah Keong said the MoU is expected to lead to a better check and balance process of the government's decisions, however, it will not stop PH from playing their role as an opposition party.

He said the government and the opposition now have the same vision, that is to ensure political stability and work together in battling the COVID-19 pandemic and restoring the economy.

"This also strengthens the concept of the Malaysian Family and in a family, we may fight, we may not see eye to eye but we remain together," he said.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said that he hoped the MoU would strengthen the cooperation among all parties to end the COVID-19 wave which had caused about two million infections in the country and claimed the lives of about 22,000 Malaysians.

He said if Malaysians can put aside their differences and unite to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a chance for the country to win the war.

"If we continue to let our differences take precedence over the COVID-19 pandemic, then we will continue to move towards a failed state," he said.

Meanwhile, MIC vice-president Datuk T. Mohan said the MoU would bring political stability that would provide a conducive environment for the country's economic growth.

"Apart from facilitating the smooth running of the 2022 Budget, this MoU will increase the confidence of foreign investors and stimulate local businesses," he said.

MCA spokesperson Chan Quin Er said the memorandum charts the right cause and has successfully accentuated underlying willingness in Malaysians to overcome differences, seek common ground, and redouble efforts to solve the problems plaguing the country.

"MCA believes the MoU is an opportunity, unprecedented in the past decades, and might not be readily available again in the future so right now, we hold in our hands a catalyst that can redefine the political landscape of Malaysia and a real chance for change. Together, we can turn this opportunity into a shared victory," she said in a statement today.

-- BERNAMA