THE government must review its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the opposition after the government failed to push through a motion under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) yesterday, said the party’s top two leaders.

In separate posts on Facebook, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and deputy president Mohamad Hasan called the effectiveness of the MoU and the reliability of the opposition into question.

Zahid said article 3 of the MoU clearly states that the opposition must agree or abstain, in any motion brought by the government.

“It was one of the steps taken to create political stability in the administration.

“However, when the motion tabled failed due to lack of support from the opposition, it is appropriate for all of us to conclude that they have broken their promises, violated the agreement and completely ignored their previous commitments,” he said.

The Bagan Datuk lawmaker felt PH would not keep its promises.

“The government must have its own strong majority and not rely on the courtesy or discretion of the opposition.

For his part, Mohamad said the time may be right for the government to move beyond waiting for the MOU to mature on July 31, at which time it may call a general election if it so desired.

“A government that is formed and depends on an MOU like this is very risky, all the more when PH is untrustworthy and has made it a norm to break its promises,” he said.

Mohamad said yesterday’s session in Parliament proved that PH would not hesitate to break its promises.

“This is a great slap in the face of the government, and it was embarrassing for the government too,” Mohamad said.

The motion – tabled by Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin – to extend the enforcement of subsection 4(5) of Sosma for another five years was rejected by division vote (86-84) in Parliament yesterday.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, when announcing the vote, noted that 50 MPs were absent.

Mohamad said all that had happened showed that it was difficult for the government to work with the opposition in implementing the MOU effectively.

“It would not be extreme to assume the MOU had failed to function as hoped,” he said, adding that the government working to the MOU was always at risk.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Annua Musa also had said PH had violated the MOU between the government and opposition by voting against the motion on Sosma,

“With its action, the MOU is cancelled. This is a blessing in disguise as the prime minister can now cancel or suspend the agreement,” he said in a Facebook post.

However, newly appointed DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke rejected Annuar’s claims.

Also on Facebook, Loke said that voting against Sosma will have no bearing on the MOU.

“The coalition did not violate its obligation even though we voted against this motion. It is our right as MPs,” he said. – March 24, 2022.