KUALA LUMPUR: The government's move in not disclosing the allocation amount in the draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) involving allocations for Opposition MPs is because the terms of the agreement have yet to be afreed on, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that if the Opposition does not agree with any terms in the MOU, they should express it through the proper channels, namely consultation, rather than through the media.
He mentioned that the government had yet to receive a response from the Opposition regarding the draft MOU.
"As the terms have not been agreed upon, discussing the amount rightfully cannot be done through the media.
"Just respond to the (government) draft, and then we will discuss it. Once we agree and finalise it, we will show it to the media," he said.
Fadillah, who is also the secretary-general of the unity government secretariat, said this after attending the Malaysian Law Students Legal Aid Convention 2024 on Tuesday (Sept 3).
On Monday (Sept 2), Perikatan Nasional chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan was reported as saying that the government had set seven conditions for the Opposition, including support for the government until the end of the 15th Parliament term, to enable them to receive allocations. Takiyuddin also claimed that no allocation amount was placed in the draft MOU.
Fadillah said the conditions set for government support are to ensure political stability in the country, thus sending a message to the world to attract more investors.
"...what we are saying is that we don't want to talk about bringing down the government and so on. The main reason for our country now is stability.
"So let's not talk about wanting to topple the government or just stop talking about it because the government now has two-thirds support and it was proven in Parliament," he said.
On July 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the issue of allocation to Opposition MPs should not be a complicated issue to resolve. – Bernama
