THE Perikatan Nasional opposition led by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin has rejected a government-proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning allocations for Perikatan Nasional (PN) MP.
Hamzah said the opposition rejected the MOU on four main grounds, starting with constitutional issues, because it apparently infringes on the rights of Malays and Bumiputeras as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and restricts parliamentarians’s freedom.
He also mentioned cultural and moral concerns, saying the conditions in the MOU are believed to contradict traditional, cultural, ethical, and religious values.
“We have received two sets of draft MOU proposals from the government related to allocations, namely between the Malaysian Government and the PN party and between the Malaysian government and all PN MPs.
“However, we decided to reject it because some of the conditions imposed in this MOU are feared to affect the privileged rights of Malays and Bumiputeras guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
“The draft MOU also contains conditions that are seen as contrary to traditional, cultural, moral, religious and local values,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
The MOU includes clauses that require PN MPs to avoid hate speech and discriminatory language, declare their assets within 14 days of signing, and acknowledge the principles of dignity and equality in Malaysia’s constitutional and parliamentary systems.
The opposition is concerned about the vague allocation details and the implications for MPs’ rights and freedom in relation to parliamentary privileges. – Sept 14, 2024
