PETALING JAYA: The bipartisan memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Pakatan Harapan and the government and not Umno, says Khalid Abdul Samad.

       The Parti Amanah Negara communications director was commenting on the Umno supreme council’s decision to not continue with the MOU after it expires on July 31.

       “Therefore, any decision to continue or discontinue the MOU depends on the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) and not the Umno supreme council,” he said in a statement on Friday night (April 15).

       He said Pakatan is upholding the commitment towards the MOU as per the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for political stability to allow the government to focus on efforts to fight Covid-19, economic recovery and restore the people’s well-being.

       He said with that spirit, Pakatan has called for initiatives such as Anti-Hopping Law, allocation for people’s welfare and the strengthening of the Covid-19 plan to ensure that the aim of political stability and the people’s well-being can be achieved.

       On Umno’s decision to retain Ismail as their prime minister candidate after the 15th General Election, Khalid said he hoped events that transpired after the Johor elections would not recur – specifically when Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi was sworn in as Mentri Besar even though Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad was the initial candidate for the post.

       The MOU was signed on Sept 13, 2021 and will be in effect until July 31.