Tuan Ibrahim: CSA must not become political bargaining chip

 

Perikatan Nasional Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. NSTP File pic

KOTA BARU: Perikatan Nasional members of parliament do not need to sign a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) with the government, as their support for the Budget and bills tabled in Parliament should be sufficient.

PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the opposition coalition believed that supporting the Budget and government bills was enough, without having to enter into a formal agreement with the government.

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Pas deputy president, cautioned against making the CSA a new political culture in the country, particularly if allocations were extended only to MPs who agreed to sign the document.

"The government should respect the people's choice and ensure that allocations are channelled fairly to all constituencies," said the Kubang Kerian MP.

He said the government should not use allocations as an incentive to secure political support, adding that leaders had a responsibility to uphold justice and treat everyone fairly.

Tuan Ibrahim said opposition MPs had continued to support the Budget and various bills tabled by the government, except for the proposed legislation to limit the prime minister's tenure.

He added that even the proposed legislation had not received unanimous support from government MPs.

"We hope the government will reconsider its approach and extend allocations to all MPs to strengthen the country's democratic system," he said.

He also warned against allowing the CSA to become a form of threat or inducement to MPs, particularly when the government was making efforts to combat corruption and bribery.

"We do not want this to become a form of coercion or gratification for MPs," he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the government is open to signing a CSA with any opposition member of parliament, not just those from Bersatu.

He said there were no conditions attached to the arrangement, following the signing of an agreement involving 13 MPs yesterday.

Yesterday's agreement involved six Bersatu MPs, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and six independent MPs who had previously declared their support for Anwar.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof signed the agreement on behalf of the government. - NST