DPM Fadillah awaiting PN’s formal written response to rejection of MoUs for proposed allocations for opposition MPs

KUCHING (Sept 15): Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof today acknowledged Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) decision to reject the Madani government’s proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning allocations for PN MPs.

However, he said he expects PN to provide an official response for the action of the Unity Government Leadership Council.

“I am unsure why they disagree with the terms of the MoU and I do not know their stance on whether they wish to continue negotiations or not.

“As mentioned, the MoU proposal is a draft and with drafts, I expect a counter-proposal,” he said at the official launch of the Regatta Tandang Sari at Dataran Tandang Sari, Pusa in Betong today.

He was responding to reporters’ questions regarding PN’s decision to reject the proposed MoU.

“Nevertheless, I respect their views and am awaiting their formal written response in its entirety,” he added.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin recently announced the decision to reject the two proposed MoUs was made unanimously due to various concerns, claiming that the MoUs included conditions that might undermine the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

He had also criticised the drafts for being at odds with traditional, cultural, moral, religious and local values.

Additional concerns included the potential for “misinterpretation and abuse of power” due to unclear compliance mechanisms, and Hamzah also argued the MoUs would restrict MPs’ freedom of speech, which is protected by the Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952.

In April this year, the Unity Government Secretariat Supreme Leadership Council agreed in principle to consider allocating funds to opposition MPs.

Earlier this month, PN chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan revealed that the Unity Government had allegedly imposed a list of conditions on opposition MPs in order for them to receive the allocations.

The draft MoU concerning opposition allocations included seven conditions, such as asset declarations, support for the government through the end of the 15th parliamentary term, and compliance with issues related to race, religion, and royalty (3R).