Anwar Ibrahim at the signing of a political agreement between PH and Ismail Sabri Yaakob in September. (AFP pic)
PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said today that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will uphold its political agreement with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob until July 31 and is open to an extension beyond the expiry date.
He said the coalition is ready to have discussions on extending the memorandum of understanding (MoU), and reminded Umno that the agreement was between PH and Ismail’s government, and not with Umno.
“Umno can give their opinion. But Umno with Barisan Nasional now has only 40 seats in Parliament but they think that they are the government and they can decide everything,” he said in a media interview today.
Last week, the Umno Supreme Council said it had decided that Ismail’s government should not extend the MoU after it expires.
“I want to advise them that in any administration, we must look at our strengths first, and (they should) accept the fact that this agreement is between PH and the prime minister,” he said, Malaysiakini reported.
Anwar said that the end of the MoU would pave the way for the next general election to be held.
“I want to be clear about the MoU. We will ensure that it goes on until the end of July, and hold negotiations if there is an intention to continue it. It does not necessarily mean that when we no longer have the MoU, there will be an election.
“This will be up to the position taken by the governing party and the opposition, which is to be our priority,” he said.
Ismail recently said that his government will abide by Umno’s demand to not extend the MoU.
The agreement calls for Parliament not to be dissolved until at least July 31, and for the MoU to stay in effect until Parliament is dissolved. PH also agreed not to bring down Ismail’s government in return for a pledge to carry out a range of political reforms, such as an anti-hopping law.
No discussions on ‘big tent’
On the matter of uniting the opposition parties under a “big tent” for the 15th general election, Sinar Harian quoted Anwar as saying that PKR had never discussed the matter.
He said the party was focussed on strengthening itself and the other component parties of PH to face the elections.
However, PH component parties should not be too “arrogant” to the extent of refusing to initiate talks with any party on the matter, as long as they abide by PH’s agenda.
He acknowledged that the “big tent” idea had been discussed by other component parties, notably Amanah, but as PH chairman he could not stop his allies from discussing the matter.
PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said today that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will uphold its political agreement with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob until July 31 and is open to an extension beyond the expiry date.
He said the coalition is ready to have discussions on extending the memorandum of understanding (MoU), and reminded Umno that the agreement was between PH and Ismail’s government, and not with Umno.
“Umno can give their opinion. But Umno with Barisan Nasional now has only 40 seats in Parliament but they think that they are the government and they can decide everything,” he said in a media interview today.
Last week, the Umno Supreme Council said it had decided that Ismail’s government should not extend the MoU after it expires.
“I want to advise them that in any administration, we must look at our strengths first, and (they should) accept the fact that this agreement is between PH and the prime minister,” he said, Malaysiakini reported.
Anwar said that the end of the MoU would pave the way for the next general election to be held.
“I want to be clear about the MoU. We will ensure that it goes on until the end of July, and hold negotiations if there is an intention to continue it. It does not necessarily mean that when we no longer have the MoU, there will be an election.
“This will be up to the position taken by the governing party and the opposition, which is to be our priority,” he said.
Ismail recently said that his government will abide by Umno’s demand to not extend the MoU.
The agreement calls for Parliament not to be dissolved until at least July 31, and for the MoU to stay in effect until Parliament is dissolved. PH also agreed not to bring down Ismail’s government in return for a pledge to carry out a range of political reforms, such as an anti-hopping law.
No discussions on ‘big tent’
On the matter of uniting the opposition parties under a “big tent” for the 15th general election, Sinar Harian quoted Anwar as saying that PKR had never discussed the matter.
He said the party was focussed on strengthening itself and the other component parties of PH to face the elections.
However, PH component parties should not be too “arrogant” to the extent of refusing to initiate talks with any party on the matter, as long as they abide by PH’s agenda.
He acknowledged that the “big tent” idea had been discussed by other component parties, notably Amanah, but as PH chairman he could not stop his allies from discussing the matter.
"However, PH component parties should not be too “arrogant” to the extent of refusing to initiate talks with any party on the matter, as long as they abide by PH’s agenda".
ReplyDeleteSounds like Anwar is ready to talk to those who "screwed" PH previously. That, unfortunately, sounds like the desperate Anwar we know; anything for a chance to be PM.
He really should retire like LKS.He has done his part to galvanise the people in his days and should realise now the missteps he took have landed him in his present predicament.
Sure, he was totally played by the unprincipled old fool. But he should also take some blame for being too naive and trusting.