MoU does not mean we have joined govt, says Loke

Pakatan Harapan will continue to hold the government accountable despite the two blocs set to sign a memorandum of understanding later today.

(FMT) – “This memorandum of understanding does not mean that Pakatan Harapan has joined the government,” said DAP organising secretary Loke Siew Fook.

“PH MPs will remain sitting in the opposition bloc and continue to play a ‘check and balance’ role to the government, continue to monitor and criticise the government’s weaknesses and remain vocal in the interest of the rakyat,” the former transport minister said in a Facebook post.

In a joint statement last night, representatives of both sides said they had agreed to work together in a bipartisan spirit to restore political stability while the government manages the Covid-19 pandemic and to help bolster economic recovery.

Loke explained that the MoU will detail PH’s cooperation with the government for any bills that need to be negotiated and agreed upon in principle, such as the federal budget.

In return, he said, the government needs to implement various policies to help the rakyat, bring about reforms in the country’s administrative system as well as strengthen parliamentary institutions.

Details of their agreement, which Loke predicted would one day be included in history textbooks, are to be revealed after the signing at Parliament House at 5pm.

The memorandum will be signed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau.