KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tells Opposition lawmakers to set their differences aside and start negotiations with the government over MP allocations.
He said that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof is ready to hear the Opposition, but also said that there must be a consensus among them first.
“There must be consensus among the Opposition MPs. Currently, there is no consensus — some want one thing, some want another, some agree to negotiate, and some do not.
“Therefore, I suggest that an agreement be reached among the Perikatan Nasional MPs first, and then communicate this consensus to DPM (Fadillah), who holds the mandate,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 5).
He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), who had asked Anwar on whether the government will provide allocations for the Opposition MPs.
“Will you provide justice for all Malaysians by providing allocations for all MPs?” Shahidan asked after highlighting Anwar’s achievements in facilitating a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia.
In a supplementary question, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut) asked if Anwar was ready to meet with the Opposition to discuss domestic matters.
Anwar said that he was always ready to discuss any issues with the Opposition.
“However, if the issue is about the MP allocations, the mandate is with the Deputy Prime Minister 2 (Fadillah).
“I leave that issue to him. On other matters, I’m ready,” he said.
