The Perikatan Nasional chairman said the MoU, which the coalition had rejected, was aimed at restricting MPs’ abilities to voice their constituents’ concerns, especially on 3R issues.
“This is wrong. The country was built on an understanding between races, or the ‘social contract’, which then became part of the Federal Constitution with specific provisions regarding the rights of races, Islam as the official religion and the Malay rulers,” Muhyiddin said in a statement.
“What right does the government have to prevent PN MPs from advocating for matters enshrined in the Federal Constitution through their voices in the Dewan Rakyat?”
On Sunday, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said PN had unanimously rejected the draft MoU, claiming it went against the Federal Constitution with conditions that touched on the special position of the Malays and Bumiputeras.
The PN secretary-general claimed the MoU conflicted with cultural and religious values, lacked clear mechanisms, and potentially restricted MPs’ freedom of speech.
The first draft MoU, which would be signed between the government and individual MPs, outlines the role of opposition MPs in providing checks and balances, offering credible policy alternatives and promoting national unity.
The second draft MoU includes similar elements but would be signed between the unity government and PN as a bloc, binding all its MPs.
In his statement, Muhyiddin also said the draft MoU contained elements that went against the strong moral and religious values held by Asian societies, citing a clause which would prevent PN MPs from making statements that discriminate against any party based on race, religion or any other factor of identity.
“The term ‘other identity’ includes LGBT groups,” he said.
“Does this mean that if PN MPs agree to this draft MoU, they would not be able to oppose any policies or laws that the government might enact in the future to permit LGBT activities?
“To me, this MoU is unconstitutional and contrary to the noble values upheld by Malaysians.”
He said the MoU must be rejected by PN and all Malaysians who understand the true meaning of unity and harmony in a multiracial and multi-religious nation.
Earlier today, Amanah’s legal bureau deputy chief Ahmad Zamri Asa’ad Khuzaimi said PN’s reasons for rejecting the draft MoU showed that the coalition wished to continue playing up 3R issues, adding that its criticisms were unfounded.
Zamri said the MoU merely reaffirmed the concept of equality before the law as guaranteed under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution as well as the position of Islam as the religion of the federation under Article 3.
He said the MoU could not override, and did not contravene, Article 152 on Malay being the official language and Article 153, which safeguards the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak.