Muhyiddin’s pitch to opposition MPs

 

RM10 billion in direct cash assistance will be distributed from the Covid-19 fund to 11 million people identified to be in need, with aid to continue into next year, if opposition MPs vote in favour of the prime minister.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has made his pitch to woo opposition MPs to support his government, which he said was critical in achieving the political stability needed to navigate the pandemic and its associated effects.

In a special televised address, Muhyiddin rattled off a number of moves the government would make should he win the vote of confidence currently slated for September’s sitting of the Dewan Rakyat.

Here’s what he proposed:

• All MPs will receive the same annual allocations regardless of political affiliation. For opposition MPs, their allocation for 2021 will be increased on a pro rata basis for the remaining months of the year. Now, government MPs get RM3.5 million a year for their constituencies and another RM300,000 for office expenses. Opposition MPs get only RM100,000 for their constituencies.
• The government will table in Parliament a RM45 million increase of the government’s Covid-19 fund ceiling to RM110 billion. Last year, it was raised to RM65 billion.
• RM10 billion in direct cash assistance will be distributed from the Covid-19 fund to 11 million people identified to be in need, with aid to continue into next year. This would include the hardcore and urban poor, the B40 community and affected members of the M40 group.
• Funds will also be channelled to boost recruitment incentives and improve SME financing so they can capitalise on the reopening of the economy later this year.
• Additional provisions for the health system, which will be used to expedite Covid-19 testing, tracing and isolation, increasing staff and boosting ICU capacity.
• If the government is able to secure the support of more than two-thirds of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, it will table a constitutional amendment to put a two-term limit on prime ministers. The government will also put forth an Anti-Party Hopping Bill.
• The number of parliamentary select committees will be increased to involve more MPs.
• Government and opposition parties will each make up 50% of all parliamentary select committees to support their roles as effective checks and balances.
• A constitutional amendment will be tabled to immediately lower the voting age to 18 without the implementation of automatic voter registration, which may take time.
• The leader of the opposition will be given the remuneration and resources equivalent to those of a senior Cabinet minister.

“I respectfully invite all political party leaders to discuss these proposals next week. I will issue an official invitation to all political party leaders to attend this discussion. I am ready to hear their views on this proposal,” he said during his speech.

“If this proposed bipartisan cooperation is agreed (to), I will convene a special session of the Dewan Rakyat to table a motion of confidence in the prime minister in the near future.” - FMT