Syed Saddiq questions ‘new rule’ on funds for opposition MPs

“I recall six other MPs who already received allocations without going through the opposition leader”

(FMT) – Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has questioned the need for opposition lawmakers to negotiate constituency allocations en bloc, saying some MPs have done so individually.

He also claimed that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was putting forward a “new precondition” in saying that negotiations should not be done separately.

He said he was the sole representative from Muda in Parliament, but had been told to negotiate allocations for his constituency through the opposition leader.

“Looking back, I recall six other MPs who already received allocations without going through the opposition leader,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

“There are many inconsistencies. I find it strange, but I will remain optimistic. I want to follow the correct procedure,” he added.

Syed Saddiq also said he would send another letter to Anwar to “appeal to his humanity to help the needy” in his constituency.

When asked why he had not decided to support the unity government, Syed Saddiq said he had always been consistent in his approach.

“When it comes to ensuring the stability of the government and the country, I have no issues (supporting Anwar’s leadership). I have been consistent about this from the beginning.”

Last week, Anwar said the opposition should follow the same negotiation process as before, where clear parameters were set from the beginning.

“Back then, we even had a team of five from the opposition and five from the government,” he said, responding to Syed Saddiq who had requested advice on how to proceed with allocation talks following multiple attempts with deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof.

Syed Saddiq said he had met with Fadillah twice in person on his own and sent three letters, but was told that the allocations needed the approval of the Cabinet and the prime minister.

Fadillah previously said a memorandum of understanding about the allocations was being finalised. Once ready, copies would be distributed to all political parties for review, he said.

Anwar had earlier taken a jab at Syed Saddiq who recently ran 200km from Muar to the Parliament building to raise funds for his constituency.