UMNO-BN needs to exit MoU, failed motion a huge embarrassment - Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) must immediately get out of a weak cooperation such as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the opposition.

UMNO President, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, described the failure of the motion brought by the government to extend the enforcement of subsection 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) for another five years, as something shocking, disgraceful and embarrassing to the government.

Therefore, he said, it was appropriate for UMNO and BN to conclude that the opposition had broken their promise, violated the agreement and ignored their previous commitment.

"This situation reflects a number of things that must be taken seriously.

"Firstly, the opposition is actually not interested in creating political stability. In fact, PH (Pakatan Harapan) is actually very prone to abandon their promises and commitments easily.

"In my view, there is no point for us to continue to hold on to their promises.

"Secondly, the government must have its own majority. A strong majority and does not rely on the kindness and discretion of the opposition.

"The government as in its current position will not be respected, unstable and will not be able to put forward and implement good policies smoothly.

"To me, these two things are clear evidence that the current government is no longer respected.

"The MoU between the government and the opposition also seems to be nothing more than a promise on paper," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

Commenting further, Ahmad Zahid who is also the BN Chairman said his stance was clear with the resolution during the UMNO General Assembly (PAU), which was something rational and well-founded.

The Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk also hoped that the community could see how fragile and risky the existing form of government was.

"In fact, it is a great lesson to political parties like UMNO and BN. And all these only strengthen my spirit and belief that UMNO should rise again as a strong, big and respected political force.

“We must be able to bring in good policies and motions without having to expect the support of opponents who like to capitalise on situations.

"What happened here (the failure of the SOSMA motion) is something that is a disgrace to the government. It is a disgrace that demands us to strengthen ourselves in a strategic and immediate way," he added.