PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA — Major political leaders gathered at Perdana Putra today (16 Dec) and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), pledging their support to Unity Government led by 10th Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The agreement was jointly sealed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Abang Johari, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah(GRS) chairman Hajiji Noor.
While party WARISAN from Sabah, led by president Shafie Apdal signed on as an individual party.
The MoU was signed ahead of the motion of confidence which will be tabled in Parliament next Monday (19 Dec).
Following the conclusion of the Malaysia 15th General Election (GE15), PH led by Anwar garnered 82 parliamentary seats, while Perikatan National (PN), led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, gained 73 seats.
As none of the major political coalitions achieved a simple majority, PH, BN (30 seats), along with coalitions in Sabah and Sarawak — GPS (23 seats), GRS (6 seats ) and Warisan (3 seats) agreed to form a unity government, adhered to Malaysia King’s decree.
Anwar set to have 148 MPs backing his confidence vote next Monday
With support from two MPs from Parti Bangsa Malaysia and Social Democratic Harmony Party (PKDM) and the other two independent MPs, Anwar’s unity government had garnered support from 148 MPs and achieved a two-third majority out of 222 seats in the Parliament.
Anwar Ibrahim expressed his gratitude to support from his fellow leaders, “I am touched by the trust bestowed on me. With the commitment together, as a strong team, the unity government will allow us to face any problems in and out of the Parliament, with one voice.”
He believed that the agreement among the leaders will lead to political stability and uplift the nation’s good name and integrity.
“Our focus will be on good governance and to spearhead a more convincing economic growth, ” Anwar added.
Zahid Hamidi added that the agreement is meant to be long-term so that the government can ensure that its plans and policies run smoothly and be fully implemented.
MP failing to comply would be considered as resigned from party
The MoU required all the signatory coalitions or parties to support Anwar in all matters of confidence and supply, including those that could have a bearing on the legitimacy of a unity government.
Those MPs do not comply with the MoU would be considered as having resigned from their party, effectively triggering the anti-hopping law.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also shared the full content of the MoU on his official Facebook Page, the MoU included Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) framework, which is vital to uphold fair political and economic position among Peninsula Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.
