PN must sign CSA with govt for equal allocations, say analysts

 

Hisomuddin Bakar of Ilham Centre says he does not expect PN to have many options if its leaders refuse to negotiate with the government. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Opposition MPs will continue coming to the support of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unless Perikatan Nasional forms an understanding with the ruling government to get equal allocations for all lawmakers, say analysts.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said a confidence and supply agreement, similar to what was done during Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration, will lower tensions within PN, after two of its MPs recently expressed support for Anwar’s government.

“The members at the lower rungs need the allocations, but their leaders are not negotiating. No solid statement has been made about Putrajaya’s offer to the opposition,” Hisomuddin said, adding that PN would only suffer if the situation prolongs.

Yesterday, Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman followed Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid in expressing support for Anwar, with both ready to face party action.

Hisomuddin said he does not expect PN to have many options if its leaders refuse to negotiate with the government, besides asking the two MPs to give show cause letters.

“The situation is pressuring PN,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the two MPs had acted in hope of receiving government funds for their constituencies.

Iskandar Dzulkarnain had previously said he was unwilling to see his constituents neglected just because of political disagreements.

“Will more Bersatu MPs do so? This is not impossible, judging from the forming trend,” Mazlan told FMT.

Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Universiti Malaya said he believed the PN leadership should not allow the matter of allocations for its MPs, and negotiations with the government, to hang in limbo.

“If this is not sorted out by the opposition head, this situation will continue as long as negotiations do not happen.

“They need government mechanisms to function as MPs, because being in the opposition is difficult,” he said.

Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari had previously questioned the need to negotiate with the government for equal allocations, just days before Iskandar Dzulkarnain announced his support for Anwar.

He had called on the government to state its reasons for requiring negotiations, and its conditions, in the Dewan Rakyat. - FMT