PN refuses to sign CSA with govt

Perikatan Nasional (PN) has refused to sign a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) with the government simply to access constituency funds, unlike the six Bersatu MPs led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan maintained that the actions of the six MPs did not reflect the opposition coalition’s official stand, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“The CSA was their personal choice as MPs. Coincidentally, those taking part in the CSA are not actively involved in PN, namely the six Bersatu MPs, six former Bersatu MPs and Muda’s sole MP (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman).

“PN is not involved in negotiations and the signing of the CSA,” said Takiyuddin, the coalition’s chief whip in the Dewan Rakyat.

Last Thursday, Muhyiddin, Syed Saddiq and five other Bersatu MPs signed the CSA, giving them access to constituency development funds that government MPs have had access to for the past four years.

The CSA also underlined two key reforms for Putrajaya to undertake in exchange for their support: limiting the prime minister’s tenure and separating the roles of the attorney-general and public prosecutor before the end of the parliamentary term.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the CSA was open to all opposition MPs, while his deputy, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said the deal should be extended to other opposition parties.

Umno-led Barisan Nasional and PN are contesting the Melaka polls under a pact, and are currently allies at the state level in Negeri Sembilan.

Own logo only with permission

On a separate matter, Takiyuddin said PN components could contest elections under their own emblems, but only if the coalition’s top leadership signs off on it.

He said Bersatu does not have permission to do so in Melaka, and did not officially inform PN about the matter.

Takiyuddin said PN would look into the possibility of taking disciplinary action against Bersatu, which remains a component of the coalition.

“We’re still in the process (of looking into it),” he added.

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