KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) questioned why Putrajaya is not following the example of the State Government 4 (SG4) and providing funds to opposition constituencies unconditionally.
Pointing out that the allocation for opposition constituencies has been a long-standing practice by the federal government, Shahidan mentioned it all when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came to power following the 15th general election.
“For two years, the opposition asked for allocations, and the government agreed, but with conditions. The requirement of having conditions for allocations denies the rights of people living in these constituencies.
“Previously, when the prime minister was the opposition leader, he championed allocations for all without conditions. Now, as prime minister, he has a different view,” Shahidan said during a Dewan Rakyat Special Chambers session today.
The Arau MP also criticised the government’s initial draft of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the opposition regarding allocations, stating that it was drafted without any negotiations.
He said that provisions in the MoU draft related to equality, suggesting that it was unconstitutional and potentially violated Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
“Why can’t the government follow what the SG4 states are doing? Just give the opposition the allocations they need without any MoU,” the Arau MP added.
SG4 refers to the states governed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) – Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis.
In her response, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that the MoU’s first draft was an invitation to the opposition to negotiate further.
However, Zaliha pointed out that the opposition not only rejected the MoU but also refused to provide the government with any feedback.
“I was told by the government whip that there is no reason for negotiations to continue because the opposition refuses to reply and give their feedback,” Zaliha said.
Meanwhile, Zaliha highlighted that the only opposition member who responded to the MoU draft was Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (Muar-Muda).
According to Zaliha, the Muar MP proposed changes to the MoU, which the government is currently looking into.
“Arau should be informed that the government would not neglect the people and will provide allocations for development. There are ways to channel funds into opposition areas,” Zaliha explained.
In a statement on September 15, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the opposition would reject a draft of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) prepared by the government on parliamentary allocations.
He said certain provisions of the MoU could affect the special privileges of the Malays and Bumiputera that are guaranteed under the constitution.
Hamzah also said that the draft MoU seemed to contain conditions that stifle MPs’ freedom of speech despite them having the rights and immunity to speak up in public interest in accordance with the House of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952. – October 15, 2024
