SEREMBAN: Umno leaders have called for the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and the Opposition be revoked and a general election be called to elect a new government.

       Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who called for the MOU to be re-evaluated, said: “This is unavoidable following the government’s failure to pass the amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) enforcement period.

       “Such an important Bill was not dealt with in a strategic manner before it was tabled,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       He said efforts to get the support from all MPs failed despite a clear understanding between both sides on matters or proposals involving legal and policy reforms as stated in Article 3 of the MOU.

       Mohamad said the defeat of the Sosma Bill showed that it was difficult for both sides to effectively manage the MOU.

       “Governments that are formed and function using such a mechanism are very risky,” he added.

       The Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional Federal Government signed the MOU with the Pakatan Harapan last year to bring reforms and political stability to the nation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

       A provision in the document also states that Pakatan agreed to support or remain neutral in any motion submitted by the government.

       Mohamad blamed Pakatan for the fiasco, adding that the government should consider moving forward and not wait until the MOU expires in July.

       Padang Rengas Umno MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz believes the government no longer has the moral ground to continue helming the nation following the defeat of its Bill.

       “As such, the right thing to do is to return the mandate to the people,” he said during the debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022.

       Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi accused the Opposition of violating the MOU by voting against the Sosma Bill.

       “As such the government must end the MOU now and free itself from weak cooperation as it is clear we must have our own strong majority and not rely on the Opposition.

       “It is clear the government’s inability to extend the detention period was a direct result of the Opposition’s failure to keep its promise where it should agree to or abstain from any motion brought by the government,” he wrote on Facebook.

       Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who said he was in court when the vote on Sosma was called, accused the Opposition of attempting to fool the people by saying that they were not responsible for the defeat of the Bill.

       Najib said the Opposition even claimed that he was responsible for the failure of the MOU.

       He added that the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and PAS presidents were not in the Dewan Rakyat during the Sosma vote.

       “So can we say the Opposition also want the MOU to fail and GE15 to be held in the near future?” he wrote.