ALL parties in the unity government must ensure their lawmakers support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his administration in any confidence motion or bill in the Dewan Rakyat.

This is one of the five conditions outlined in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by all the party leaders involved this afternoon.

Any MP who votes against Anwar’s leadership or bills tabled by the government will automatically be deemed to have quit as a lawmaker.

“The party concerned must then issue a notice to the Dewan Rakyat speaker on the vacant seat, according to article 49A(1), to notify the Election Commission (EC) on the need to hold a by-election,” the MOU states.
Article 49A addresses that a member of a political party who was elected to parliament shall cease to be a member of the House of Representatives and that member’s seat shall become vacant immediately if such a member resigns his or her party membership or ceases to be a member.

The party whips in the coalition must at all times ensure their party lawmakers adhere to the conditions stipulated in the MOU.

The agreement effectively ensures the motion of confidence on Anwar’s leadership of the coalition is passed without a glitch on Monday.

Anwar said the signatories have agreed to the way forward that will guarantee political stability and to uplift the nation’s good name and integrity.

“Our focus will be on good governance and to spearhead a more convincing economic growth,” he told a press conference today after witnessing the signing of the MOU.

“And all this cannot be achieved without the cooperation between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.”

The agreement was signed by Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan.

The signatories are PH chairman Anwar, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg, GRS chairman Hajiji Mohd Noor and Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal.

The respective coalition parties’ secretaries-general also inked the document.

Anwar said the MOU is not for power or position but will pave the way for a stable government.

“It is based on everyone’s desire for good governance and to see the economy grow and be vibrant,” he said.

“I hope this unity government will be a strong team that can help resolve any problems that arise and will be one voice.” – December 16, 2022.