THE memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will only end when both parties agree, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.

“Point 4.1 of the MOU doesn’t automatically end the agreement even if all the points are not fulfilled as it is still open for discussion,” said the parliament and law minister during his winding-up speech on the constitutional amendment in Dewan Rakyat today.

The Santubong MP said Point 4.1 is meant to deal with situations such as yesterday where a government bill was defeated when it did not get sufficient votes.

“It will not render the MOU as automatically ended. The MOU will end when both parties agree to it,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said unlike other countries that sign confidence and supply agreements, the government and PH opted for an MOU as it is more flexible.

“This allows us to discuss the terms from time to time as it is based on strategic cooperation to ensure political stability,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said the MOU also states that the government must discuss with PH before attempting to introduce special motions or bills in Parliament.

On the anti-party hopping bill, he said the prime minister has agreed to hold a special Parliament meeting on April 11 to debate the proposed legislation.

“This special meeting is in accordance with standing order 11(3). Additionally, the prime minister has agreed to extend the meeting by another day if needed,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said the date was picked to allow for 14 days’ notice to all the MPs.

“We will table this as agreed. It’s up to the MPs to decide whether to support it or not,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Dewan Rakyat has voted for the Malay rulers, royal family members and heads of state to be excluded from voting.

At 4.50pm, 181 MPs voted in support of the constitutional amendment with 39 recorded as absent. None of the MPs voted against the bill.

The amendment to Article 119 gives the Yang di-Pertuan Agong the authority to issue an order to exclude the sultans, state governors, their wives, heirs, and members of their families from the country’s electoral roll. – March 24, 2022.