OPPOSITION leader Anwar Ibrahim today welcomed the government’s efforts to introduce parliamentary and governance reforms but said they should not end there. 

The PKR president said discussions were still underway between the opposition and the government to find common ground to address the Covid-19 crisis and safeguard lives from the threat of the disease and livelihoods from the threat of loss of businesses and jobs. 

“Therefore, among others, Pakatan Harapan (PH) also proposes an additional allocation of RM45 billion to immediately ease the burden of the people.

“PH priorities must be based on parliamentary reform, fiscal reform and pro-people programmes including a moratorium on bank loans for the M40 and B40, and the independence of the judiciary,” he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob offers the oppostion seven parliamentary and governance reforms, including limiting the tenure of the prime minister to 10 years and the tabling of an anti-party hopping bill.

Among others, Ismail has also offered to give ministerial status to the opposition leader.

Anwar said PH will continue to play its role as the opposition by emphasising the issue of good governance and is determined to eradicate corruption.

He demanded that the opposition be given equal treatment so that they can play a role role in checking and balancing the executive. 

“We will always fight for justice for the people”.

Meanwhile, on the matter of a confidence vote for Prime Minister in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said it should be held as soon Parliament convenes on Monday.

“This is based on the decree of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to the leaders of political parties during the previous session at Istana Negara on  August 17, to confirm that the Prime Minister has gained the trust of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members,” he said. 

Last week, Attorney-General Idrus Harun said Ismail needn’t face a confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat as the Agong was already satisfied that he had majority support in the House.

Following the AG’s statement, Minister for Law and Parliament in the Prime Minister’s Department Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the king had informed Ismail that a motion of confidence was unnecessary to prove the legitimacy of his office. – September 11, 2021.