PM: Support not a must for funds

KUALA LUMPUR: Expressing support for the Prime Minister is not a condition for any MP to receive government allocations for their constituencies, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“I want to explain so that the rakyat will understand – I do not restrict allocation for any elected representative.

“What I want is for the rules to be respected and to hold discussions for the allocation as what was done during the previous administration.

“There is no pre-condition or condition that support must be given for the prime minister,” the Prime Minister said when replying to a question raised by Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (PN-Bukit Gantang) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Anwar said he was “dismayed” that the issue was manipulated by the Opposition to criticise his leadership, particularly during recent by-elections.

“I was told by Deputy Prime Minister II (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof) that talks were held with two Opposition representatives, but no official meeting has been held on the matter,” he said.

He chided Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and Opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for not holding discussions with Fadillah despite the need to do so.

He said both leaders were previously involved with discussions during the former Perikatan Nasional administration when equal allocations were provided to all MPs.

Anwar said he remains committed towards providing equal allocations to all MPs as promised in Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto.

During debates, Takiyuddin claimed the Prime Minister was using allocations as a means to gain support from certain MPs.

“Allocations cannot be used as a tool so that one can be held in high regard, to apple polish, and excuse me for saying, ‘to lick the Prime Minister or Putrajaya’,” he said.

Takiyuddin insisted that the constituency development fund (CDF) should be given to MPs irrespective of their affiliation.

“The CDF is provided for constituency development and is not only meant for areas that support the government,” he said.

Earlier, Syed Abu Hussin drew gasps in the House when he openly praised Anwar for his leadership while expressing support for him.

Previously, Bersatu’s Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Zahari Kechik (Jeli) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) declared their support for Anwar, saying that they did so to gain extra allocations for their constituencies.