KUALA LUMPUR – The draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the allocation of funds to MPs is in its final stages, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Once completed, the draft will be submitted to the Supreme Leadership Council and be reviewed by the top leadership of the unity government as well as the opposition for approval.
“We are still in the midst of finalising the draft, but I have already given an overview (of the MoU) of its contents, which is, firstly, to focus on the MPs on how they can develop and restore the country’s economy.
“Secondly, to ensure stability so that we can attract as many tourists as possible and avoid things that can cause division among the people, such as 3R issues (royalty, race, religion), and so on,” he said after chairing today’s National Science Council meeting, as reported by Bernama.
When asked about the draft’s completion date, Fadillah said that there was no specific deadline in place.
“I’m not sure if there is any deadline set by Perikatan Nasional (PN) to approve the draft because there are some on the opposition side saying there is no need for such an agreement. We’ll see, let’s complete the draft first,” he added.
On April 18, Fadillah was reported as saying that the unity government’s Secretariat Supreme Leadership Council had agreed in principle to consider extending allocations to elected representatives from the opposition.
Fadillah, who is also the unity government chief whip, said a draft MoU would be prepared and presented to the opposition for negotiation.
On April 25, he also said the draft MoU was still being prepared and would soon be handed over to the opposition for review and negotiation.
The primary focus of the draft is to foster a shared understanding among all parties to drive national development, with particular emphasis on economic growth and the welfare of the people.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin was reported to have said PN would make a decision after a thorough examination of the terms in the draft MoU.
Last year, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man reportedly said that three PN MPs – opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, and Putrajaya MP Datuk Radzi Jidin – had been appointed to hold negotiations with Fadillah. – May 14, 2024