OPPOSITION leader Anwar Ibrahim today said Putrajaya’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pakatan Harapan (PH) is still intact, and questioned why there are calls for an urgent general election. 

The Port Dickson MP said only the clause restricting the dissolution of parliament before July 31 will automatically expire, but the rest of the agreement remains in effect with some parts of the MOU not yet fulfilled.

“If the only reason (for some quarters to push for a general election) is to secure a victory just to close their court cases, then this is not tenable.

“Elections must be held to renew the mandate of the people, not save some people from conviction,” Anwar said in Port Dickson in clear reference to former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who are facing court battles for abuse of power and corruption.

He however said if polls are called, PH stands ready, despite having lost badly in recent state elections. 

Anwar also said the government should be focusing on improving the economy to resolve the struggles faced by the people, including the question of governance and the failure to control the rising costs of goods.

“The cost of living is really a burden on the rakyat. All this, while ministers continue with their extravagant spending. There are too many cases of public funds being mismanaged,” said the opposition leader.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said “the next general election is close”. 

“As such, we must work as if elections will be held tomorrow. It won’t be long,” he told Barisan Nasional (BN) members during the coalition’s Selangor convention in Shah Alam.

“I cannot reveal more but elections are not too far away. We are ready and I hope you will promote the government’s good news.”

The MOU called for political reforms to be carried out by the government. In return, the opposition would support the government through the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recovery.

The MOU underlines six key areas – strengthening the Covid-19 recovery plan, administrative transformation, renewal of parliament, independence of the judiciary, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and formation of a steering committee. – July 31, 2022.