Coalition leaders sign MoU supporting Anwar and the unity government, voting against would face anti-party hopping law

On Friday (16 December), MPs in the Anwar-led unity government have signed the MOU titled Confidence Motion and Supply Bill of the Cooperation Agreement Among Coalitions in the Malaysian Unity Government.

Under Article 4 of the MOU, it is stated that MPs in the unity government who fails to vote or support the prime minister in motions relating to confidence votes, supply bills or procedural motions with effect on the federal government’s stability will be deemed to have resigned.

“Every party must ensure that all their MPs must vote according to clause 4(a) above.”

“Failure, refusal or negligence to do so must be considered as a breach of the individual MP’s responsibility to the party, and is deemed as a resignation and/or termination of being an MP,” the agreement reads.

A violation of this would lead to the MP’s seat being vacated in accordance with Article 49A(1) of the federal constitution, and the MP’s party must notify the Dewan Rakyat speaker on the vacancy, for notice to be given to the Election Commission to hold a by-election. 

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

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Hari ini telah terpahat satu lembaran baharu dalam sejarah politik tanah air di mana gabungan parti politik PH, BN, GPS, GRS dan WARISAN telah bersetuju untuk bermuafakat demi negara. pic.twitter.com/xlgVRVHJHF

— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) December 16, 2022

The other objectives of the MOU

In addition, under Article 5 of the agreement, a consultative council with representatives recommended by the five parties will be created to ensure that all terms agreed upon will be carefully implemented so that the unity government can function effectively in a stable environment, without affecting the policies and orientation of the signatory parties.

“Any disagreements or misunderstandings must be resolved harmoniously within the council,” the agreement reads.

The MOU also states that the parties involved have agreed to uphold the truth, pledging full loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the head of state and to uphold, protect and defend the federal constitution.

The parties also declared commitment to the unity government’s objectives, which include creating a just society and a democratic country that is progressive, inclusive and united based on the Malaysian mould.

Among the other objectives include to:

• To defend the constitutional monarchy system, to strengthen parliamentary democracy, to champion the rights and power of the people and work to consolidate the country’s political system in accordance with the wishes and interests of the people.
• To ensure that Islam remains as the religion of the federation while ensuring the rights of non-Muslims to practise their religions or beliefs continue to be guaranteed as enshrined in Article 3(1) of the federal constitution.
• To uphold Bahasa Melayu as the national and official language, while maintaining the people’s right to use, learn and gain an education in other languages as enshrined in Article 152 (subject to Article 161) of the federal constitution.
• To upholding the supremacy and rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and public institutions, and the effectiveness and professionalism of security forces.
• To strengthen the principle of separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as to prevent centralisation of power and abuse.
• To guarantee to freedom of thought, speech, movement, assembly and association for all within the framework of the federal constitution in the Malaysian mould, towards forming a pluralistic society that prioritises human dignity and the values of universal brotherhood among all.