KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's offer to transform Parliament and the government administration and described it as a good start.

       However, Anwar, who is also PKR president, said discussions were still ongoing to find the best common starting point to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

       "It includes protecting lives and safety from the threat of the outbreak and to free the people from economic shackles following loss of income and jobs,” he said in a statement Saturday (Sept 11).

       On Friday (Sept 10), Ismail Sabri said the federal government was offering seven Parliamentary and government administration transformations to restore political stability in order to fight the Covid-19 outbreak and revive the country’s economy.

       The offer included tabling an Anti-Party Hopping Bill, implementation of Undi18 soon and limiting the term of the prime minister to 10 years.

       It also covered the membership of the Parliament Select Committees, which would be equally shared between the government and Opposition MPs and each bill including the Supply Bill tabled in Parliament would be negotiated and jointly agreed.

       Opposition party members would also be involved in the National Recovery Council (NRC) to give their views and proposals while the Opposition Leader would be given remuneration and facilities on par to a minister.

       In this regard, Anwar said Pakatan Harapan also proposed an additional allocation of RM45bil soon to lighten the burden of the people.

       The Port Dickson MP said Pakatan was grounded on Parliamentary reformation, fiscal reformation and pro-people programmes including a moratorium on bank loans for those in the M40 and B40 groups and the independence of the judiciary.

       "PH will continue to play its role as an Opposition by stressing on good governance of the government as well as its determination to eradicate corruption.

       "It should be made clear that the demands of the Opposition should be given appropriate consideration and it would play its role to check and balance the Executive. We would also be forceful in fighting for justice for the people,” he said. - Bernama