Govt open to allocations for opposition MPs, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says allocations for opposition MPs can be provided under the same confidence and supply agreement used when he was the opposition leader.

The September 2021 agreement between the government led by Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Pakatan Harapan (PH) included a commitment to equal constituency development allocations for government and opposition MPs. In return, PH agreed to support or abstain on confidence motions and supply bills, including the 2022 budget.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said the government remained open to discussions on allocations for opposition MPs and had appointed deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof to handle negotiations.

“We have asked them to meet (Fadillah), who has been given the mandate to negotiate. Once it is signed, I will approve it.

“As I said previously, if it is signed today, it will be approved the next day. If they no longer want to negotiate, that is not my problem.

“… we will use the same format (as the 2021 agreement). There is no need to amend a single word.”

Anwar was responding to Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who asked why PH had not fulfilled its manifesto pledge to provide equal allocations for all MPs, regardless of party affiliation.

Perikatan Nasional previously rejected the government’s draft memorandum of understanding on constituency allocations for opposition MPs, citing concerns over its constitutionality, restrictions on freedom of speech and discussions on race, religion and royalty, asset declaration requirements and a lack of clarity on funding amounts and mechanisms.

‘Double standards’

Che Mohamad also accused the government of applying double standards in distributing constituency development funds.

He said a parliamentary reply dated June 22 stated that both government and opposition constituencies were allocated RM2 million annually, but funds for opposition seats were administered directly by the government rather than their MPs.

In response, Anwar cited Terengganu, which is governed by the opposition, saying its development allocation rose from RM6 billion in 2022 under the previous administration to RM8.2 billion in 2027.

“Has there been a reduction? No. In fact, the allocation has increased,” he said.

“We have not neglected any parliamentary constituency or state.”

Anwar said development funds were allocated to constituencies and not handed directly to MPs.

“Even in government-held constituencies, the funds are not given to MPs. MPs endorse the projects. Development funds are not given to MPs,” he said.

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