PETALING JAYA: With a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in place between the government and Pakatan Harapan leaders, the King has expressed hope that the political turmoil will end, and the focus shifted to managing health and economic issues.

       Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was pleased and grateful with the historic cross-party cooperation.

       “The Yang di-Pertuan Agong expressed his hope that with the signing of the MOU, the political turmoil can end immediately and MPs will set aside political agendas by uniting and by working together to manage the Covid-19 pandemic in the interest of the people and country.

       “His Majesty reiterates that the people should not be burdened with never-ending political turmoil when the country is facing health issues and an economic slowdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “The Yang di-Pertuan Agong stresses that this is also in line with the Malay Rulers’ stance on the importance of the formation of a stable government which functions efficiently and is prudent at a time when the country is facing various crises,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       On Monday, the government and Pakatan Harapan leaders inked an MOU on bipartisan cooperation on transformation and political stability which will cover six areas.

       The MOU ranges from strengthening the plan to combat Covid-19 and the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63) to the independence of the judiciary.

       It will also involve parliamentary reforms, transformation of the government and formation of a steering committee for the MOU.

       Ahmad Fadil said the King also advised MPs to prioritise the welfare of the people and well-being of the country in the ongoing parliamentary meeting, adding that His Majesty wanted lawmakers to focus on efforts to fight the pandemic.

       He said the King expressed confidence that with political stability and an increase in the vaccination rate as well as additional aid by the government, the national economic recovery would be hastened.

       Ahmad Fadil said the King also wanted the government to hasten the drafting of business and investment-friendly policies to enhance the country’s competitiveness.

       He said the King also wanted the rakyat to show their solidarity with and support for frontliners by adhering to the standard operating procedures and all guidelines set by the government.