Another Bersatu MP says will back PM if RM30mil allocation approved

Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal. - Filepic/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: After four Bersatu MPs shifted their support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, another Bersatu MP said he will do the same if he receives development funds for his constituency.

Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (PN-Bukit Gantang) said he was requesting RM30mil for various purposes such as fixing broken roads, upgrading suraus and toilet facilities.

“I sincerely carry the wishes of my voters in Bukit Gantang to the Rural and Regional Development Minister.

“I would like to see how fair the Madani government is in giving allocations.

“In this noble House, if I manage to get these allocations to develop my constituency, I will pledge support to Anwar and the Madani government. Thank you,” said Syed Abu while debating Budget 2024 at the committee level in Parliament on Thursday (Nov 9).

Earlier, Syed Abu, in his five-minute speech, had spoken extensively about the need to develop his constituency.

“I want to justify that my constituency is a rural area and there isn’t a town here. Its residents consist of 30% farmers, 30% fishermen and 30% factory workers.

“If they want to shop or settle official matters, they need to go to Taiping town,” said Syed Abu.

Syed Abu said there’s a need to develop various educational facilities in his Bukit Gantang constituency.

“There are no boarding schools and no vocational schools here. So, I hope my request can be approved,” added Syed Abu.

Recently, Bersatu’s Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid and Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman declared support for Anwar, saying that they did so to gain extra allocations for their constituencies.

Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin later announced that Suhaili and Iskandar had been suspended from the party for four and six years, respectively, by the party's disciplinary board.

On Nov 7, Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim became the third Bersatu MP to declare support to Anwar’s leadership.

On Nov 8, Bersatu was struck by another similar incident when Jeli MP Zahari Kechik became the fourth Bersatu MP who pledged support to Anwar.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who’s also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said more than four Opposition MPs are expected to shift allegiance to Anwar.