Don’t rush to leak draft agreement on opposition’s allocation – Expert

The opposition bloc, especially Perikatan Nasional (PN), was advised not to rush in leaking or announcing the core substance of the draft allocation agreement with the government until it is finalised.

(Sinar Daily) – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Business, Economics and Social Development Faculty, Policy Studies lecturer, Literacy and Political Advocacy Unit, Research Fellow and Associate Professor Dr Mohd Yusri Ibrahim said that such actions would demonstrate immaturity and unprofessionalism on the part of the opposition in sealing an important agreement with the government.

He said the opposition should emulate the memorandum of understanding signed between the Malaysian Family government led by the ninth prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in 2021.

“It was rather strange from the beginning when the opposition announced the agreement unilaterally.

“Such a significant and important understanding is usually announced by both parties through a joint statement when the agreement is reached and the contract is successfully signed.

“To make important negotiations successful, the parties involved need to be more mature and patient. They should not rush to leak or announce the contents of the negotiations until they are fully finalised,” he said.

Despite the current controversy surrounding the draft allocation agreement, Yusri still believes that a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) should be signed and continued in the interest of the country.

He said that many benefits would be derived from this CSA, as it would contribute to political stability in the country when the opposition no longer pursues the desire to form a government outside of election season.

“If the CSA fails to be signed, a lot of time will be spent on politicking, causing the focus on the interests of the people and the country to be neglected,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hulu Terengganu Member of Parliament Datuk Rosol Wahid confirmed that his party has not yet studied or received the content of the draft agreement detailing the allocation to opposition members of parliament.

“I’m sorry, I have never seen or received any draft agreement from the government,” he said briefly via a WhatsApp message.