NEGOTIATIONS for allocations to the Opposition should be done collectively, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister questioned why the situation was seemingly complex when the Opposition only had to set a date and discuss the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.“It’s not difficult. I was the Opposition leader once, but we did not feel it was complex to meet with the Prime Minister.
“There were also representatives from the then-Opposition and the government. It’s not a complex matter. Set a date and discuss,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday.
He added that the conditions set are also the norm in democratic countries.
“Even if it’s not agreed on, discuss it again. Let it be done through a democratic process.
“Begin with the Opposition leader and party whips discussing with the Deputy Prime Minister,” he said.
Anwar was responding to a question by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), who asked for the Prime Minister’s advice on how he could obtain allocations for his constituency.
“I have discussed this with the Deputy Prime Minister twice physically and three times through official letters.
“But I was informed that I had to get approval from the Cabinet and Prime Minister,” he said.
On a related matter, Anwar said there are no conditions requiring the Opposition to support the Prime Minister if they want allocations.
“I have explained this many times, yet I am still chastised.
“All allocations to Opposition members in democratic countries are through negotiations.
“There are no conditions, such as needing to support the Prime Minister. I have never done this,” Anwar said.
Anwar also recalled holding several rounds of negotiations with former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob before the allocation issue for the Opposition was finalised.
“To Pendang, please inform party whips and hasten the process so this no longer becomes an issue in the House,” he said.
Anwar was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) about equal allocations to Opposition MPs.
The issue of equal allocations has been a talking point, with the issue repeatedly raised by the Opposition. More recently, Syed Saddiq ran 200km from his constituency to Parliament to seek justice for opposition constituencies, which he claimed were deprived of funding.
