SHAH ALAM: There is a difference between the memorandum of understanding(MOU) that was offered to Perikatan Nasional by the unity government and the arrangement established under the previous government, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said it was up to Perikatan to accept or reject the MOU.
"It depends on their leaders and their MPs,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the MIC annual general meeting here on Sunday (Sept 15).
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Ahmad Zahid said further negotiations are likely between the government and Perikatan on allocations for MPs.
He said the unity government already commands a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
“As such, this (MOU) differs from the confidence and supply agreement (CSA) inked under the ninth prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) that was needed to secure support for the Budget,” he added.
The CSA was signed between Ismail Sabri’s government and Pakatan Harapan on Sept 13, 2021.
Earlier on Sunday, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said Perikatan unanimously declined to sign the MOU, citing four key reasons.
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"The initial concern is that the draft MOU appears to conflict with the Federal Constitution, particularly its potential impact on the Malay and bumiputra special rights enshrined within," he said in a statement.
He also said the MoU contradicted cultural, moral, and religious principles; could lead to abuse of power; and seemingly curtailed democratic freedoms.
