THE question of whether to extend the reform memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the federal government and Pakatan Harapan does not arise as the deal stands until the end of the 14th parliament term, said Fahmi Fadzil.

“It’s clearly stated under clause 2 of the MOU that the agreement is effective till parliament is dissolved,” the PKR communications director told The Malaysian Insight.

“As such, the question of whether it should be extended does not arise,” said the Lembah Pantai lawmaker.

Umno is misguided in demanding that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob does not extend the agreement, he added.

Fahmi, who was among the PH lawmakers who drafted the MOU, said it was agreed that parliament could not be dissolved before July 31.

“If Umno is desperate to have elections early, it should direct its demands at Ismail Sabri and not the government.

“But Umno must remember that Ismail Sabri is ultimately the prime minister and that it is his and the Agong’s prerogative to dissolve parliament,” said Fahmi.

On Thursday, Umno again urged Ismail not to extend the government’s MOU with Pakatan beyond July 31.

Although the party did not demand that Ismail dissolve the Houses, the Umno Supreme Council call was aimed at pressuring the prime minister to call for early elections soon.

In what appears to be an attempt at a compromise, Umno also nominated Ismail as its prime ministerial candidate.

Although Ismail has yet to respond to Umno’s olive branch, former Barisan Nasional secretary-general Annuar Musa has called on the coalition to appoint the Bera MP chairman.

“After being named as the PM candidate, Ismail Sabri should be named BN chairman as he needs to find the winning formula,” said the Ketereh MP.

The appointment of the BN chair is significant as only he is empowered to sign off on the “surat watikah”, or nomination papers, for candidates to stand for election under the BN logo. – April 17, 2022.