PASIR MAS: The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will never bow to any threats from any political party on matters that could confuse the people, says Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic).

       The Communications and Multimedia Minister said that DAP national chairman had threatened to end the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and Pakatan Harapan if the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022 on Anti-Party Hopping was not passed in Parliament.

       "I wish to explain, this understanding is based on commitment and sincerity but if DAP tries to threaten, I want to emphasise that the government will not bow to any threat," he told reporters after handing over flood assistance to 150 residents of Kampung Serongga near Repek, here.

       The Ketereh MP said many things needed to be considered about the Bill related to Anti -Party Hopping such as the constitution, the definition of party hopping and the consent of all political parties.

       "In the latest development, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar informed that he has undertaken preliminary talks with several political parties, some even asked for more time to discuss the matter with their members, so for me there is no question of passing or not," he said.

       On Sunday (March 20), it was reported that DAP would seek a definitive answer from the government on the final date for the tabling of the Anti-Party Hopping Bill in Parliament.

       Guan Eng had said the party would seek confirmation from Ismail Sabri on the matter, otherwise, the MOU between the government and Pakatan (made up of DAP, PKR and Amanah) would be automatically cancelled.

       Prior to this, Wan Junaidi had said that the Anti-Party Hopping Bill would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat only after the views and input of all parties involved were obtained, and all engagement sessions were concluded.

       Under the MOU signed last September by Ismail Sabri and party leaders in the Pakatan coalition, it was agreed that Parliament would not be dissolved before July 21 this year.

       Annuar reminded DAP not to make statements that could confuse the people, especially on the MOU.

       Annuar, who is a member of the MOU Negotiation and Implementation Committee, said that so far, 80 per cent of the items in the MOU have been or are being implemented.

       "There are only a few things such as the proposal to limit the term of office of the Prime Minister and the tabling of a law against party-hopping in Parliament that have not been implemented, the rest are in the process of implementation and running well.

       "Therefore, I advise DAP not to issue statements that could confuse the people as if there is no understanding between the government and the Opposition party (Pakatan)," he said.- Bernama