Negotiate with us if you want allocation, PM Anwar tells Opposition MPs

KUALA LUMPUR: Both blocs of the Dewan Rakyat need to hold a discussion on setting up the parameters for constituencies allocation as funds are ready, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said he has called both chief whips to start deliberating on the matter and reiterated that he has agreed in principle to provide equal allocation for Opposition MPs.

“Approval (for the fund) has been given, only negotiations are needed from the Opposition about the parameters. What’s the problem?

“We’re not asking for strict rules. We only need the approval parameters to be discussed between the government and the Opposition.

“In principle, we agree (with the equal allocation). If you want the money, negotiate; if not then wait,” he said in response to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) who had asked about the allocation for the Opposition MPs at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (April 4).

“Today, Pakatan Harapan’s MPs are happy because they will get an allocation of RM800,000 but the Opposition didn’t get anything.

“If not much, give us some (allocation) because we want to buy dates for the poor people,” Shahidan said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.

During the administration of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in 2021, the government had given an equal allocation for elected reps from both blocs under the Prime Minister’s Special Allocation.