KUALA LUMPUR: Umno remains committed to the unity government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership despite differences with coalition partners over political positions, including the issue of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s royal pardon.
Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Umno had made its position clear and that the next move was now up to DAP, following the party’s dissatisfaction over the pardon and its call for Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign if he did not support Anwar’s leadership.
In a statement today, Umno said it remained committed to the Malaysia Unity Government Cooperation Agreement signed on Dec 16, 2022, including its pledges to uphold government stability, the Federal Constitution and the institution of the Malay Rulers.
Azalina said cooperation within the unity government did not require coalition partners to agree unconditionally on one another’s political positions.
“Where differences arise, the appropriate course is dialogue and consultation, not public pressure or ultimatums against the leadership of any coalition partner,” she said.
She also described DAP’s call for Zahid to resign as regrettable, saying it did little to strengthen the spirit of cooperation within the unity government.
“It is important to remember that the unity government was formed following a royal decree by the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong after the 15th General Election, through political negotiations and a collective understanding among the participating coalitions and parties.
“The cooperation agreement signed on Dec 16, 2022, established the framework for political cooperation, parliamentary stability and the effective functioning of the government.
“Issuing public ultimatums to the president of a coalition partner is neither constructive nor consistent with the spirit of the coalition agreement,” she added.
Azalina said Zahid, as party president and Barisan Nasional chairman, had a responsibility to protect the party’s interests, principles and political mandate, which should be respected by coalition partners.
On Najib’s pardon, Azalina said Umno maintained that the power of pardon was a constitutional prerogative that must be respected under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution.
She also outlined four possible courses of action for DAP to address its dissatisfaction with the development.
The first was to invoke the mediation mechanism under Clause 5(c) of the cooperation agreement, which provides for a consultative council comprising representatives of participating coalitions to resolve disputes or misunderstandings.
The second was to terminate the agreement, although Azalina said it contained no termination clause and was intended to remain in force until the end of the 15th Parliament.
The third was for DAP to remain calm and allow existing arrangements to continue while respecting the constitutional role and royal prerogative of mercy.
She noted that DAP had previously benefited from the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy in 2018 and the royal decree in 2022, which facilitated the formation of the unity government.
The fourth option was for DAP to seek a review of Paragraph C of the agreement’s recital, which she said could have unforeseen consequences for the continuity of the unity government.
Umno also questioned DAP’s Central Executive Committee decision on Sept 19 for its secretary-general Anthony Loke to resign as Transport Minister following the latest development involving Najib’s pardon.
It said the decision was made unilaterally without prior consultation and had contributed to political instability among coalition partners.
On political cooperation at the state level, Umno said the agreement did not prevent coalition partners from pursuing arrangements with other parties.
It said political cooperation at the federal level should be distinguished from state-level arrangements, which should be determined by the respective party leaderships based on political circumstances in each state.
“For Umno, consistency is a virtue of necessity. Umno continues to participate in the unity government as a collective political decision made in the interest of the people and as its responsibility to the nation.
“We will continue to respect the leadership of the prime minister, honour our commitments within the unity government and uphold the Federal Constitution.
“We have made our position clear. The next move is yours,” it said.