PM, PH agree to work together in tackling health, economic crisis
25 Aug 2021
By Ilona Andrew
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders have reached a mutual agreement to address the nation's current health and economic crisis as well as strengthening the function of the Malaysian Parliament as a responsible and constructive institution.
Ismail Sabri said the agreement also involved the function of checking and balancing the executive management to be more transparent and meet the people's needs.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Ismail and the PH Presidential Council - PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, AMANAH President Mohamad Sabu, and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya, today.
“The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, focused on the agenda of the people’s interests in finding the best common ground to address the Covid-19 pandemic, protect the lives and safety of the people, and free them from economic grip due to job and income loss.
"Mutual agreement was reached in strengthening the function of the Malaysian Parliament as a responsible and constructive institution, reviewing and balancing executive governance so that it is more transparent, and meeting the needs of the people," he said in a statement today.
"We also agree and understand the importance of the independence of the judiciary, institutional reform and good governance to ensure a more conducive environment for the people and the country in the context of 'Keluarga Malaysia'," he added.
Earlier, the PH Presidential Council in a statement said the meeting would, among others, discuss current political issues as well as preparations for the parliamentary session which will begin on September 6.
He said a special session was likely to be held earlier to debate the motion of confidence against Ismail and to fill the vacancy of the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat following the resignation of Datuk Seri Azlina Othman Said.
“PH’s focus is towards being an effective Opposition by voicing constructive and responsible criticism, criticism, recommendations and views, as well as presenting appropriate alternative proposals to Government policies especially related to efforts to address Covid-19, revive the economy, and saving the lives and livelihoods of the people.
“PH will prioritise institutional reforms including Parliament, fiscal reform, legislative reforms including Vote 18 and the Anti-Party Jump Act, improvement of the National Recovery Plan, as well as insisting on the independence of the judiciary which should not be disturbed by any party,” the Council said.
