Funding for govt and Harapan but none for us - Syed Saddiq and Maszlee

 

PARLIAMENT | Two opposition MPs have complained about being left out of funding for their constituencies even though Pakatan Harapan MPs have received their allocations.

Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (Muar-Independent) (above) complained in the Dewan Rakyat that Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mastura Mohd Yazid had misled the House when she said all opposition MPs would receive equal funding with government MPs.

"Where is the justice when government MPs get RM3.8 million to RM5 million, Harapan MPs get RM3.8 million but for Muar, it's RM0.

"How can we start a new political culture? Don't discriminate based on politics," he said.

Syed Saddiq had written to Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun about the alleged misleading statement but the complaint was rejected on grounds that the equal funding for opposition MPs was only limited to those who had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the government.

Harapan had inked the agreement with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Sept 13, promising not to obstruct key government agendas in exchange for reforms.

However, Syed Saddiq said non-Harapan parties were never given the opportunity to sign the MOU.

Syed Saddiq is in the midst of forming Muda, which the Home Ministry has to date refused to approve.

"In my case, I want to sign but was never given the opportunity. The people of Muar are badly affected.

"When you do not give a chance, don't blame the Muar MP or its people when allocation is not fairly distributed.

"You should come to Muar, look at how badly the fishermen are affected. Villagers who lose their roof during floods, you have to answer... Why are they being punished for not supporting the government? This is blatantly wrong," he said.

Azalina Othman Said, who was chairing the Dewan Rakyat sitting on an ad-hoc basis, said she understood Syed Saddiq's frustration.

However, she said he should address his concerns directly to Azhar as she was only chairing the sitting temporarily.

 Meanwhile, Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam-PKR), said he too had not received allocations for his constituency despite being part of Pakatan Harapan.

Maszlee formally joined PKR last Saturday (Nov 27).

"Muar is not part of Harapan and was not involved in the MOU but my case is a little strange.

"I recently joined PKR and I have also written to the speaker to inform him about my position. Unfortunately, until now, Simpang Renggam has not received any allocation," he said.

Maszlee urged the government to abide by the MOU to ensure equal funding. - Mkini