KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to extend the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Putrajaya and Pakatan Harapan once it expires on July 31, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       Ahmad Zahid said the decision not to renew the MOU once it expires on July 31 was decided by the Umno supreme council on Thursday, after taking into account the current political landscape.

       "What was signed between the government and the parties was an agreement in the form of a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) and that was suitable then.

       "Because six months has lapsed since it was signed, Umno is of the opinion that there is no need for any party to propose an extension of the MOU," he told reporters when met outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Friday (April 15).

       Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said any decision to dissolve Parliament would be at the prerogative of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       "For sure, the Prime Minister will have engagement sessions with a few groups, including consulting the party's top five and political bureau to analyse the current political situation," said Ahmad Zahid.

       When asked when the best time would be to do so, Ahmad Zahid quipped "tomorrow", before leaving.

       Earlier, Ahmad Zahid said Umno's decision to field Ismail Sabri as its prime minister candidate for the 15th General Election was to implement the resolution made by party delegates in the previous party general assembly.

       "The delegates also resolved that issues regarding GE15 that concerns the party have to be discussed by the party's top five, which is made up of the president, deputy president and the three vice presidents," added Ahmad Zahid.

       Meanwhile, at another event in Putrajaya on Friday, Ismail Sabri said Putrajaya would follow Umno decision's to not extend the MOU between the government and Pakatan.

       "The government will follow the supreme council's decision," said Ismail Sabri when met by reporters after launching an event at Putrajaya on Friday.

       "That was the decision and whatever it is, wait until after July 31. That was the Umno supreme council's decision on Thursday (April 14)," he said.

       PAS did not explicitly call for an extension of the MOU, but said the bipartisan support in place since last September had assisted national economic recovery.

       "It will help national recovery led by Ismail Sabri in all aspects, including health, economy, social, and the lives of common Malaysians," said PAS secretary general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan on Friday morning.

       The MOU for bipartisanship that was signed between the government and Pakatan last September is supposed to be in effect until July 31 this year.

       Among the terms under the MOU was that Parliament cannot be dissolved before July 31.

       Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, in a statement on Thursday evening, said the supreme council had unanimously proposed Ismail Sabri as its prime minister candidate for the GE15.

       Umno also said that the supreme council decided that the MOU between Putrajaya and the government should not be continued.