PUTRAJAYA should extend the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the opposition to ensure political stability in the country, lawmakers said.

“Constant talk about dissolving Parliament is unproductive and creates instability,” said Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto.

The Ismail Sabri Yaakob government should focus on economic recovery as there are still lingering concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic, she said.

The two-term Penang lawmaker added there were still a lot of reforms that needed to be completed before the general election.

“Although the government has completed a few items on the MOU, important reforms such as the constitutional amendments to deter party-hopping are not done yet.

“And while there is some parliamentary reform in the form of select committees, another major item, the Parliament Services Act is still not yet enacted,” said Kasthuriraani.

She added that the government would do better to go full term, prioritise the reopening of the economy and address the foreign worker shortage.

Her DAP colleague, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh also feels that Ismail Sabri should go full term instead of bowing to internal party pressures to call for the general election this year.

“The anti-party hopping constitutional amendment bill is crucial towards restoring confidence in the electoral process.

“I really hope the government will get this done before rushing into elections,” said the former Selangor assembly speaker.

The confidence level for the democratic electoral process is very low, as seen in the Malacca and Johor election turnouts.

“Confidence level will remain low if the government does not fulfil its promise to stop party-hopping activities. A low turnout will only further the political instability in the states and the federal government,” said the lawyer.

Last September, Ismail’s administration signed a historic MOU with main opposition bloc Pakatan Harapan to ensure political stability in the country, after two previous prime ministers were replaced due to insufficient support from elected MPs.

And while there is no expiry date on the MOU, Ismail has promised not to dissolve Parliament before July 31. As the date approaches, the Umno leadership does not want Ismail to extend or renegotiate this clause so that they can push for snap elections this year.

Besides the election issue, the MOU has six key areas covering a Covid-19 recovery plan, institutional and parliamentary reforms, judicial independence and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Since the signing of the MOU, the government has amended the Federal Constitution to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak, given equal constituency funds to all MPs, revamped Parliament’s select committees, raised the Covid-19 fund and implemented Undi18.

Among the major items that have yet to be done include the constitutional amendments to stop party-hopping, limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years, enact a Parliament Services Act, and amend Parliament’s Standing Orders.

On anti party-hopping amendments, Law and Parliament Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has promised that the government will table the amendments in Dewan Rakyat next week.

Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to hold its second meeting of the year from July 18 to August 4 while Dewan Negara will meet from August 8 to 16. – July 15, 2022.