SHAH ALAM: There is no second draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and the opposition, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Perikatan Nasional chairman dismissed the claim, describing it as pure speculation.
“There is no second draft of the MoU. I am the Perikatan chairman, and the opposition leader is here too.
“Is there really a second draft? This is a mere assumption,” he said during a press conference at the party’s annual general meeting held at the Ideal Convention Centre here on Saturday (Nov 30).
Muhyiddin said the first draft of the MoU had already been rejected by the opposition, citing its terms as “unacceptable.”
“We have not heard about a second draft being sent to us. If it exists, I am unaware,” he said.
Criticising the government for making conditional financial allocations for opposition MPs, Muhyiddin questioned the necessity of tying such assistance to an MoU.
“When I was in office, there was no MoU for this sort of thing. It’s just RM300,000.
“If the intention is sincere, just give it. This isn’t for the MPs themselves but for the people in their constituencies who need help,” he added.
Muhyiddin also questioned why the government, despite claiming to have ample funds, has made financial assistance contingent on agreements.
“They say they have billions. Why can’t they spare a small amount to help the rakyat? If the intention is genuine, there’s no need for an MoU.
“During my time, we provided funds for opposition MPs without any such agreement,” he said.
He urged the government to emulate what he described as Perikatan’s “good example” of governance, where assistance was provided to all MPs, regardless of political alignment.
“Can’t they follow Perikatan’s positive example? During my time, the opposition came to me for allocations, and we gave it to them without issue. Why can’t they do the same?” he asked.
On Wednesday (Nov 27), Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said if it’s true there is a second draft of the MoU, the opposition pact should take a look at it first before making any decision.
“If there truly is a second draft of the MoU, we (MPs) want to review it first before making any decision. Regardless of the draft being proposed, its terms must not undermine the opposition’s role as a check and balance,” Afnan was reported as saying.
