MP questions whether funds exist for allocations for Opposition lawmakers

KUALA LUMPUR: An MP has questioned whether funds exist for the allocation for Opposition lawmakers, saying that emergency motions had been filed on the issue.

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) said he had filed three emergency motions to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, and the third motion was to seek an answer on the allocations for Opposition MPs

“The Prime Minister said that there are no conditions set for Opposition MPs to receive allocations. So what should we do next, if the Opposition Chief Whip has met and negotiated with the Deputy Prime Minister twice," said Shahidan.

“Tell us how many times we need to negotiate. I have brought the motion (to the Lower House) but if there are no plans to provide us the funds then it is fine,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 30).

Shahidan said that the government should be clear if there are no plans to provide allocations for the Opposition.

“If there are no plans to give us the allocation, then it’s OK. But where is the allocation if negotiations are no longer necessary," he added.

On Tuesday (Nov 28), Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat that expressing support for the prime minister is not a condition for equal government allocations for MPs and added that there are no restrictions on allocations 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,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said on Wednesday (Nov 29) that allocations for opposition members of parliament can't be determined as yet as Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has yet to meet him for discussions on the matter.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is still hopeful that Hamzah would engage in discussions regarding the allocations before any decision could be made.