NEW HOME MINISTER MUHYIDDIN VISITS ANWAR OVER CABINET POSTS, TICKS OFF JOHOR MB OVER CALL TO DENY FUNDING TO STATE OPPOSITION

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin visited Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss matters regarding the formation of the Cabinet and state governments. – ANN

Muhyiddin: Funds will be given for infrastructure in Johor Umno areas

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has stressed that there will no allocations for opposition assemblymen in Johor but it will provide funds for infrastructural development in the state.

PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin said it was PH’s policy to act responsibly and provide assistance for areas which were lagging behind.

“We have to help, including people living in opposition areas, and that is a priority of PH.

“However, for Umno elected representatives, support will only be given in terms of infrastructure, such as allocations through the district offices to improve infrastructural development in the state,” he told reporters after visiting Anwar Ibrahim at the Rehabilitation Hospital in Cheras here today.

Muhyiddin, who is MP for Pagoh, said Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian had been informed of this and he had been told to correct his earlier statement on the matter.

“I have informed Osman this, maybe because he is still new as menteri besar. So, we are giving him time to settle in.

“The general election is over, the people have chosen the government. So the PH government must take into consideration the views of all parties, regardless of ideology or racial background,” he said.

Osman had said there would be no development allocations to all assemblymen from Barisan Nasional in Johor and that he did not recognise the opposition head in the state.

Meanwhile, asked about developments on Anwar’s release from prison, Muhyiddin said the matter was being worked on.

“I was made to understand that he (Anwar) would be released soon and this will be brought up at the Cabinet meeting,” he said.

Anwar, who is the de facto leader of PKR (component of PH), is serving a five-year sentence for sodomy. He is scheduled to be released next month but efforts are under way for him to get a full pardon which will enable immediate release. – FMT

Muhyiddin instructs Johor MB to make right his gaffe

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said he has communicated with Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian to make right his refusal to recognise the state opposition and provide funding to them.

“I have asked him to correct it. In my view, the general election has concluded and the people have made their decision.

“As a government who cares and understands the people’s problems, the Harapan government must consider the interest of all people regardless of political ideology.

“The trust given to the government of the day must be carried out in a fair and just manner, including in opposition-held constituencies,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Muhyiddin said Osman, who is the Johor Bersatu secretary, may need some time as he was “new”.

The newly-appointed home minister said this after meeting with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim for around an hour at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital.

Furthermore, Muhyiddin proposed that opposition assemblyperson should also be provided with funding to set up their service centre and other support so that they can serve the people better.

“But that will be up to the respective leadership in each state to discuss the matter further on the funding mechanism and other issues,” he said.

He reiterated that Harapan’s policies will be pro-rakyat and no one will be punished for their political ideology.

Yesterday, Osman indicated that he will emulate BN’s policy of depriving the opposition funding, citing budget constraints.

He faced a torrent of criticism for the comment, including from his Harapan partners. – MKINI