KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied reaching out to Bersatu’s Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid and Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman to get their support in Parliament.
“Kuala Kangsar and Labuan have never negotiated with me or any ministers,” said Anwar during his Budget 2024 winding-up speech as Finance Minister in Parliament on Thursday (Nov 2).
Instead, Anwar told Opposition MPs to ask the two Bersatu MPs themselves over their decision to switch allegiances.
“If you want an explanation, ask Kuala Kangsar and Labuan. Of course, I welcome their support due to their maturity and wisdom,” said Anwar.
Anwar responded to a supplementary question by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who asked whether Opposition MPs must publicly pledge support to the Prime Minister if they want allocations for their respective constituencies.
“This matter is important so that MPs know what they must do to get allocations,” said Syed Saddiq.
According to Anwar, Opposition MPs can request constituency allocations if they negotiate the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and a committee
Anwar said that during former premier Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s tenure, negotiations were also carried out to allow allocations for Opposition MPs.
“There were negotiations, and existing parameters were taken into account. I will not waver from this stance.
“The same practice was done in previous governments, and when we do it, it is considered oppressive,” said Anwar.
“What law is this? This is the law of the jungle, not the Islamic law,” added Anwar.
Several Opposition MPs, such as Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Pengkalan Chepa MP Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, and others, were heard criticising Anwar’s stance.
But, Anwar remained firm in his stance.
“MPs have allowances and a salary, that is their right. The country’s right is to provide adequate allocations to the people, not MPs,” added Anwar.
On Thursday (Nov 2), Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said that Bersatu will discipline two of its wayward MPs who shifted their allegiance to Anwar.
On Oct 12, Iskandar said he supported Anwar’s leadership despite being a Perikatan Nasional MP.
On Oct 30, Suhaili did the same.
Despite shifting allegiances, Iskandar and Suhaili remained Perikatan MPs due to the anti-hopping laws, which penalise elected representatives who jump to another party.
