The insider, who is close to the matter, said a unanimous decision was reached at a meeting involving all opposition MPs held on Monday.
“We’ve decided to reject the draft,” the PN source said, adding that its leaders are expected to inform deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof of the coalition’s decision soon.
FMT has reached out to opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan for confirmation.
Ketereh MP Khlir Nor confirmed that a meeting took place on Monday but refused to divulge the decision reached before an official announcement is made.
“I can, however, tell you that it would be difficult to carry out our duties as MPs if we were to agree to the many conditions imposed. The allocation sum was not stated in the draft either, as if to trap us,” he said.
The source also said opposition leaders were dissatisfied with several conditions and obligations set out in the draft MoU, especially those concerning the equality of all races and individuals.
The source said that one of the 13 conditions required PN to acknowledge that all Malaysians are equally entitled to all rights and freedoms under the Federal Constitution regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.
They have also been asked to declare that all citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law and against any form of discrimination or sedition.
“PN MPs are fine with declaring their assets, but don’t touch on the special position of the Malays,” said the source, who also revealed that the MoU is targeted to remain in force until Parliament is dissolved or on Dec 19, 2027.
“We are dissatisfied as to why the authorities are quick to take action when PN raises issues purportedly touching on race, religion and royalty (3Rs) but that nothing happens when the other side does the same,” the source said.
The draft MoU sighted by FMT also states that PN and its MPs must refrain from discriminating, sowing hatred and inciting violence in its political discourse or when expressing differences in opinions. Instead, they are required to practise tolerance and unite for the good of the nation.
PN MPs are also prohibited from opposing or disrupting the federal government’s administrative processes or proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat on trivial grounds, and are required to collaborate on policies for the common good.
The source also pointed out that the draft, which was received on Aug 6, had mistakenly set out the number of opposition MPs as 74, without taking into account the six Bersatu MPs who pledged their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
They are Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar).
On April 18, Fadillah was reported to have said the unity government had reached an agreement in principle for the allocation of funds to opposition MPs.
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin previously pushed the government to present a proposed offer in “black and white”.
He cited the Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led government’s signing of an MoU with Pakatan Harapan in September 2021 which saw an equal allocation of funds for opposition MPs on agreed terms.