Perikatan memo just to show Muhyiddin has numbers, say Umno, PAS

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 3 years ago · Published on 19 May 2020 7:00AM · 9 Comments

Lawmakers making their way into Parliament yesterday for the half-day sitting. Umno and PAS leaders say a recent agreement inked is not legally binding on Perikatan Nasional. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, May 19, 2020.

THE memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form Perikatan Nasional (PN) is not binding on the political parties to register as a coalition, said Umno and PAS leaders.

They told The Malaysian Insight the MoU was inked merely to show Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has the majority support to lead the government.

They said if anything, the MoU, announced ahead of yesterday’s parliamentary meeting, makes the chamber seating arrangement easier for the administration as it indicates who is with the administration and who opposes it.

Johor Umno deputy chairman Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the MoU is to show Muhyiddin has the majority support of the parties forming the government.

“It is not binding. It is merely a MoU despite the fact it says it is part of the formation of PN.

“It will not lead to the registration of PN as a pact, like Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“It was just to show and facilitate administration in Parliament. There is no attempt to make PN a coalition,” Nur Jazlan told The Malaysian Insight.

The former Pulai MP said when Parliament meets, there has to be a clear line between the government and the opposition.

“The MoU makes it easier for MPs to show support for Muhyiddin, as he has to have the backing (of at least 112 MPs) and (yesterday) it showed he has that support,” he said.

Nur Jazlan said he did not see how PN could be formed like BN because the Umno Supreme Council previously disagreed with the setting up of PN.

Yesterday’s seating arrangement shows Muhyiddin enjoying the support of 113 MPs in the 222-seat chamber, making it the administration with the lowest majority in the country’s history.

Johor Umno deputy chairman Nur Jazlan Mohamed says he does not see how Perikatan Nasional could be formed like Barisan Nasional without the backing of the Umno Supreme Council. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 19, 2020.

No loose pact

PAS central committee member Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali told The Malaysian Insight the main focus of the MoU was to ensure each party is on the same page.

“We will discuss elections later. The focus is on strengthening the current government, which is the key to our strong ties in running the government.

“We do not want to be a loose pact like PH from a relationship point of view and clash,” he said.

Yesterday, leaders from Bersatu, BN, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah Star) said in a joint statement they inked an MoU towards the formation of PN.

The statement, which came as Umno-led BN clashed openly with Bersatu in recent weeks over Umno’s position in PN, was released by PN president Muhyiddin and BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president.

The statement was also signed by Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS), Abang Johari Openg (GPS), Dr Maximus Ongkili (PBS), and Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Sabah Star).

Perikatan as BN 2.0

Political analysts, meanwhile, see PN as BN rebranded.

Universiti Malaya political studies senior lecturer Mohamad Tawfik Yaakub said PN is made up of parties with a huge majority dominating other parties – as is the case with BN.

BN now has the largest bloc in PN with 44 lawmakers, PAS (18), GPS (18), while Muhyiddin’s faction in Bersatu counts 32 among its ranks while Dr Mahathir is said to have four in his corner.

They are his son Mukhriz Mahathir, Simpang Rengam MP Maszlee Malik, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Kubang Pasu MP  Amiruddin Hamzah.

Questions arise on whether Bersatu is willing to be accepted as a junior partner in Perikatan Nasional, or if it wants everyone treated equally, like in Pakatan Harapan. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 19, 2020.

“The recognition of the MoU is a process of dominating others in PN, despite the existence of muafakat nasional.

“These are the seeds of domination. It is a pretty clever political strategy in the face of the 15th general election, especially by Umno and PAS. There is actually no difference between BN and PN,” Tawfik said.

Muafakat nasional is the pact formed between PAS and Umno, the two largest Malay-Muslim-based parties.

Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturer Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said the parties agreed to establish PN as a temporary measure.

Azizuddin said the three Malay-Muslim parties – Bersatu, Umno and PAS – will face difficulties in seat distribution in the next elections.

“PN has a rather large group of Malays. That makes it unique. There may be problems in the distribution of seats.

“But is Bersatu willing to be accepted as a junior partner in PN, or will it want everyone treated equally like PH’s allies?

“Can Umno and BN accept this?” – May 19, 2020.

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Comments

  • If u all think so, why so coward , dare not allow the motion of confidence vote in Parliament. Like a small rat hiding in corner thinking others won't see him. Most importantly this is a back door govt, no mandate from majoeity voters. Remember this, we will find stronger determination to eliminate u frogs in GE15. We did it in GE14 to demo the people's power. We will perform even more united way in GE15 across the races and religions. Malays have abandoned UmNo for been so corrupted to even want to bankrupt the country. They will do it with even stronger voice by votes to send a clearer message that they reject all the Corrupts regardless of your race. No race or religion is corrupt resistance. U do it, u must face the consequences of our law. This is the best and only guarantee to all rakyat, none is above the law, this is the best security to all rakyat.

    Posted 3 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • This article the figures regarding nos. Of mps look misleading, BN ONLY HAS 41 but stated therein as 44, BERSATU PM- only 31/36, how is it 32? GPS supposed to be 18 but stated as 13, boleh percaya article ini

    Posted 3 years ago by Shahul Hameed Abdul Wahab · Reply

  • This article the figures regarding nos. Of mps look misleading, BN ONLY HAS 41 but stated therein as 44, BERSATU PM- only 31/36, how is it 32? GPS supposed to be 18 but stated as 13, boleh percaya article ini

    Posted 3 years ago by Shahul Hameed Abdul Wahab · Reply

  • PN WILL GO TO THE DRAIN BEFORE GE15. Bersatu is formed to replace UMNO and not to work with UMNO. Currently, PM Faction of Bersatu has no mandate from BERSATU to form PN, they using law of the jungle. How can you expect the PM to be trustworty when he went against the wishes of his own party?

    Posted 3 years ago by Shahul Hameed Abdul Wahab · Reply

  • Whatever numbers shown by the sitting, it really dont show the actual support to the goverment, example. Is the seating if SRI AMAN MP, you would know how many will abstain from the sitting for varies reason

    Posted 3 years ago by Shahul Hameed Abdul Wahab · Reply

  • Would not know

    Posted 3 years ago by Shahul Hameed Abdul Wahab · Reply

  • Azmin dengar nak buat party baru betul ke

    Posted 3 years ago by Shahul Hameed Abdul Wahab · Reply

    • Sape nak sokong Si Kitol tu, bro?

      Posted 3 years ago by Johan M. · Reply

  • THE FUTURE:

    Berdua's UMNO frogs jump back into the slimy pond of their original party.

    The Azmin Cartel become irrelevant.

    Moo joins UMNO to protect Pagoh seat and his self-interest.

    Azmin begs UMNO to give him a safe rural seat, knowing he is finished in Selangor. He abandons his cartel members, thus ending their careers, but Azmin loses his seat anyway.

    Posted 3 years ago by Johan M. · Reply