KUALA LUMPUR: Not allocating funds for Opposition MPs deprives their constituencies and "violates" their rights as parliamentarians, says Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
"Our basic rights as parliamentarians were denied. Our rights for allocation have been denied.
"The government has violated our rights as humans," said Shahidan (PN-Arau) when debating Suhakam's Annual Report 2020 in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (June 13).
Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) then interjected, which eventually led to the two trading barbs with each other.
"Sit down! Bandit (penyamun)," Shahidan said to Mohd Sany as he refused to make way.
Sany, however, insisted that he would continue standing and retorted by calling Shahidan a rogue (penyangak).
The two continued their heated exchange despite Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul telling Sany to be seated.
Johari then gave Shahidan extra time to finish his debate.
Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail then said that this was not the first time Mohd Sany had acted in this manner, adding that action should be taken against the him.
Shahidan then continued that parliamentarians rights too have been violated.
Meanwhile, Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd (BN-Tampin) said the Opposition were never given allocations except during the tenure of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, following a bipartisan memorandum of understanding.
During Ismail's administration in 2021, the government gave equal allocations for elected representatives from both blocs under the Prime Minister's Special Allocation.
Shahidan then said: "This is a Madani unity government, which parliamentary rules allow you to withhold our allocation?
"If I become the government, tomorrow I will give the funds," he said.
The remarks drew a reaction from MPs on the government bench who questioned why it was not done when he was a minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said in April that the government had agreed in principle to provide an allocation for Opposition MPs, but only for administrative expenses.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said in May that Perikatan Nasional MPs had yet to receive any allocation from the government.
He added that without the allocation, it was difficult for the MPs to carry out their responsibilities to help the people.
