KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional leaders were offered several Cabinet positions in return for their support towards the unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, claims Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru).
Takiyuddin also alleged there were offers to financially reimburse Perikatan leaders for funds spent during GE15 campaigns.
However, Takiyuddin said Perikatan leaders had rejected the offer, as they respected the mandate given by the 4.7 million Malaysians who voted for the coalition in GE15.
“We accepted the fact that we will be an Opposition that serves as a check-and-balance towards the government of the day.
“Even though we were offered several Cabinet posts to join the unity government, and there were guarantees to reimburse all of our electoral spending, we did not accept it.
“Because we carry the mandate of 4.7 million Malaysians who voted for Perikatan that won 74 parliamentary seats,” said Takiyuddin during his speech on the confidence motion on Anwar’s premiership in the House on Monday (Dec 19).
Perikatan currently has 74 seats, of which PAS has 43 MPs and Bersatu has 31.
Meanwhile, Takiyuddin also said the agreement signed by coalitions under the unity government led by Anwar was unconstitutional.
“This goes against Article 10 of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech,” said Takiyuddin.
Takiyuddin also said the confidence motion was unnecessary, as Anwar had already been sworn in as prime minister.
Last Friday (Dec 16), all parties in the present administration signed an agreement to commit to the unity government led by Anwar.
Anwar said the agreement was a commitment to support a stable government that would be able to finish its five-year term.
Among the terms of the agreement stated that each party must support the Prime Minister in motions related to confidence, supply or procedure that could affect the legitimacy of the Federal Government.
It also states that each party must ensure that their MPs give their vote and any lawmaker who fails to do so, will be in violation of his responsibility towards the party and must vacate his seat.
