Draft deal for equal funding ready, opposition reviewing terms - Hamzah

 

PARLIAMENT | Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin said he has received a draft pertaining to the allocation requests for their respective constituencies today.

“In the Parliament today, I have received the draft for us (opposition) to discuss, sign and receive the allocation.

“For now, we are looking at matters like the conditions and all,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Hamzah (PN-Larut) said this during a brief verbal tiff with Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in an explainer session on empowering the Film Censorship Board (LPF) in the august house today.

The short argument between the two politicians began when RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) suggested that a sequel to the film “Anwar: The Untold Story” be made to tell the story of those who have betrayed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his political journey.

However, Saifuddin (above, right) said there was no need for such a thing, describing Anwar to be a forward-looking and forgiving person.

While supporting Saifuddin’s remarks that leaders should be forgiving, Hamzah lambasted Anwar for “not walking the talk” as the premier is seen to be oppressing the opposition.

“Don’t create a polemic in the country that leaders don’t do as they say.

“I request that we advise each other, during this fasting month, to be fair to all. That is my request,” Hamzah said.

In response, Saifuddin said that if Hamzah was talking about allocations for opposition MPs, he reminded the Bersatu leader that Harapan did not receive any allocation during Muhyiddin Yassin’s (PN-Pagoh) tenure as prime minister.

“I still remember Pagoh’s answer at that time. The allocation from the prime minister will be channelled to our constituencies but it will not go through the MPs. That was all.

“Only when Bera MP (Ismail Sabri Yaakob) became prime minister, we received the allocation.

“Coincidentally, Larut and I were on the committee for the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) at the time,” Saifuddin said.

‘Vindictive PM’

However, Hamzah, who is also Bersatu secretary-general, said Saifuddin had made a mistake, clarifying that he was not talking about equal allocation to all lawmakers.

“I meant many other things. Others see the prime minister (Anwar) as someone who is very vindictive.

“For instance, it was suddenly said that the previous (PN) government used billions, RM600 billion, RM300 billion but in the end, there was nothing. This is what the people see. Actions speak louder than words.

“Two or three days ago, I have already met the deputy prime minister. Allocations are two-way – you offer, we accept. Whether we postpone or not, that’s another matter.

“When you have the power, don’t abuse the majority that you have,” Hamzah added.

Saifuddin then explained that he had initially interpreted it that way because there have been abundant complaints made by the opposition MPs on equal allocations to all lawmakers.

However, on Hamzah’s claims that Anwar is a “vindictive” individual, Saifuddin said he will “leave it to the wisdom of the people to judge”.

“As of now, God willing, the government is compact, united and functional.

“I think let’s go along with it – the framework that the opposition can continue to criticise.

“The opposition can be the check and balance, to monitor,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said discussions will be held with opposition representatives regarding allocation requests for their respective constituencies soon.

Fadillah said the outcome of the discussions would be brought to the cabinet meeting next week. - Mkini