KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied that opposition Members of Parliament must declare support for him in order to receive allocations.
During the prime minister's question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, Anwar reiterated that he had never prohibited allocations from being channelled to the opposition, but simply required them to negotiate the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
"There has been no official negotiation yet between the DPM and the opposition. The issue of allocations does not need to be prolonged. Just negotiate and resolve this matter in a good manner," said Anwar in response to Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (Perikatan Nasional-Arau), who urged Anwar to remove the strict conditions for the opposition to receive allocations from the government.
Anwar emphasised that allocations to help the rakyat would be continued, but not channelled to opposition MPs until negotiations take place, similar to what is commonly practised in any democratic system.
"The condition is simply to negotiate. We can remove this requirement (out of negotiations). There is no need to declare support for me. But there are certain rules...I am sure the opposition knows the procedures, but they pretend as if they do not," Anwar added.
In response to an inquiry from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), Anwar also urged the opposition to put an end to any plot to topple his government.
"Every month, you say that you want to take over the government. But every month, a [PN] MP is pledging support [for the unity government]. So, stop these ideas of toppling the government," Anwar added.
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