The DAP MP said introducing a “MoU 2.0” that would push GE15 to July next year would enable the government to introduce more progressive reforms, such as those suggested by electoral reform group Bersih.

“If MoU 2.0 is going to be proposed, the understanding on the part of the opposition parties and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob would be that this would only be meaningful if GE15 can be pushed to July 2023.

“This means that we have one year from the end of the first MoU until the possible dissolution of Parliament to put forward more progressive agendas,” said Ong at a conference jointly organised by Bersih and the Bar Council.

Some of the reforms suggested by Bersih include fixing the term of the Parliament as well as a mechanism for a vote of confidence or no-confidence to prove that the prime minister enjoys the support of the majority of MPs.

Ong added that MPs from both sides of the aisle would be receptive to a fixed Parliament term as it would provide them the certainty of remaining in office throughout the period.

Ismail and PH leaders signed the first MoU in September 2021, agreeing to work together to restore political stability while the government managed the Covid-19 pandemic and to help bolster economic recovery.

While the MoU does not have an expiry date, it states that the government and PH had agreed not to hold GE15 before July 31.

In March, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook had proposed an extension to the MoU under the condition that Ismail could deliver on all items in the agreement.

However, his proposal was dismissed, with Umno affirming its stance that the MoU should not extend beyond July.