KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof today furnished proof to counter claims made by the opposition leader about the draft of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding opposition MP allocations.
The Deputy Prime Minister rejected the claim by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who cited conditions that allegedly jeopardise the Federal Constitution.
"By exposing this MoU (drafts), the people could evaluate how all the claims made by the opposition leader (Datuk Seri Hamzah zainuddin) about the drafts were absolutely without basis," he said in a statement.
Among the key points in the MoU drafts which Fadillah highlighted in his statement were:
- EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
It shall be effective from the date of the memorandum and remain in force until the dissolution of the 15th Parliamentary Session or on Dec 19, 2027 (whichever comes first).
- OBLIGATIONS OF PERIKATAN NASIONAL
It addresses the role and function of opposition MPs as a crucial component and their commitment to act as a responsible and constructive check-and-balance component. It also touches on adherence to the Federal Constitution and the parliamentary democratic system.
- OBLIGATIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Among other things, the federal government recognises that opposition MPs have a significant role in the opposition by demonstrating loyalty to the nation, the Federal Constitution, and the royal institution while performing their duties as legal and responsible checks and balances.
- TRANSPARENCY AND NON-CONFIDENTIALITY
This Memorandum is not subject to any confidentiality clauses.
- APPLICATION OF LAW
This Memorandum of Understanding shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Malaysia.
- TERMINATION OF THE MEMORANDUM
This Memorandum of Understanding shall automatically be terminated, and neither party shall have any further obligations under this MoU. This applies to both the government and the opposition.
One of the drafts said PN and its MPs must declare their assets based on a format mentioned in the Schedule A of the MoU draft within 14 days of the MoU's enforcement.
PN MPs are also obliged to abide by the "Seven Principles of Public Life" and avoid uttering seditious remarks touching on 3R (royalty, race and religious issues, among other things.
PN chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
The draft said as opposition MPs, PN must avoid unnecessarily disrupting the process of administration or parliamentary proceedings.
"As opposition MPs, they must not purposely oppose or put stumbling blocks against the running of the federal government or Dewan Rakyat, and instead, cooperate to improve and suggest things for the sake of the country."
Fadillah also said the MoU is controlled and interpreted by Malaysian laws, and that it was not under any official secrets clause.
"Considering that the opposition likes to make statements about the MoU through the media, I am releasing two drafts of the MoU to the media so as to prove the Madani government's transparency (please refer to Attachment A and Attachment B)
"The Madani government's intention is to create a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere so that all members of parliament could focus on economic recovery and play a more constructive role in check and balances.
"This is important so that we could focus all our energy to the country's economic recovery; while strengthening unity among the people for the sake of Malaysia's wellbeing and prosperity," said Fadillah.
Hamzah yesterday said PN rejected two proposed MoUs from the government concerning MP allocations.
He had said that both MoUs – one between the Government of Malaysia and PN, and the other between the Government and PN MPs – were unanimously turned down due to several concerns.
He had claimed the MoUs contained conditions that could "jeopardise the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras" under the Federal Constitution.
While criticising the drafts for conflicting with traditional, cultural, moral, religious, and local values, he also cited the potential for "misinterpretation and abuse of power" due to unclear compliance mechanisms.