Conflicts Resurface Over Expiry Date Of Malaysia's Gov't-Opposition Pact

UMNO has the right to decide on the future of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the opposition, but the final decision is in the hands of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri, Malaysia's Communications Minister & head of Ketereh UMNO division Annuar told reporters Thursday afternoon.

• Annuar was commenting on a tweet from UMNO Secretary General Ahmad Maslan, who suggested that Malaysia's largest party will not move forward with the MoU.
• The Ketereh MP stressed that the MoU is not an inter-party agreement but a deal between the government and the opposition, which has no "expiry date" and remains in effect until the dissolution of parliament.
• Annuar's remarks highlight disagreements in the interpretation of the MoU's provision that prohibit calling a general election before July 31, which some see as the "end date" of the entire pact.
• Still, Annuar said that if cooperation is extended beyond that date to ensure continued political stability, it won't likely be for a long time.