MOU PN’s show of power

KUALA LUMPUR: The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is consolidating power ahead of today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting.

In what looks like a show of strength and unity, six parties — PPBM, BN, PAS, GPS, PBS and STAR yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in support of the formation of PN.

A joint statement signed by leaders of all six parties — Muhyiddin for PPBM, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN), Datuk Seri Hadi Awang (PAS), Datuk Seri Maximus Johnity Ongkili (PBS), Datuk Dr Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan (STAR) and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for GPS — six principle common grounds, including to ensure a “good, inclusive and world-class” governance at the federal and state levels.

It also calls for members of the ruling alliance to strengthen PN “through consultation and mutual respect for religious, ethnic and cultural diversity in the interest of the nation based on the Federal Constitution and principles of the Rukun Negara”.

For Sarawak and Sabah, which have been seeking the return of their respective rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) the MOU, also seek to realise the spirit and objectives of the agreement that was inked 57 years ago.

PN came to power on March 1, succeeding the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government which fell after just 22 months at the helm.

Since its fall the PH leaders have been trying to claw their way back into power, labelling Muhyiddin’s government as a “backdoor government” and claiming they still command the support of the majority of the 222 parliamentarians.

On May 8, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusoff accepted former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposed vote of no-confidence against Muhyiddin.

Today’s one-day sitting will only hear the Royal Address without any other business scheduled for the day.

This not only means several items that had been scheduled for the one-day sitting will not be presented to the House but that Dr Mahathir’s proposed vote of no-confidence against Muhyiddin will have to wait for another day.

Nevertheless, Muhyiddin will be going to Parliament for the first time as prime minister in the comfort of knowing his PN government is united in both mind and spirit, thanks to the MOU.