Govt to discuss opposition MPs’ allocation next Wednesday, says Fadillah

(From left) Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof and PN chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan at the March 19 meeting. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The unity government will discuss the allocations for opposition MPs at its secretariat meeting next Wednesday, says deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof.

Fadillah said this follows his meeting with opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin at Parliament on March 19, Berita Harian reported.

“In that meeting, the opposition expressed its desire for allocations, and any conditions (for granting allocations) would be left to the government to determine.

“I informed them that this matter would be brought to the level of the unity government secretariat meeting for me to present what they desire,” he told reporters at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house event in Kuching today.

He said the meeting was also attended by opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan and Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee.

Fadillah said he was surprised to hear some opposition MPs alleging that an agreement had been presented by a representative of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after his meeting with Hamzah.

“I had no knowledge of such an agreement, and I have received confirmation from the prime minister himself that there is none,” he said.

“If that’s what they’re saying, they should discuss it with the prime minister’s representative (as claimed) instead. There is no need to involve me further in the discussion.”

On March 24, Fadillah had said that there was no draft agreement with the government on constituency funds for opposition MPs as previously claimed by leaders of Perikatan Nasional.

However, earlier this month, FMT reported that Hamzah confirmed receiving a draft agreement on constituency funds for opposition MPs from a representative of a “high-ranking individual”, although he declined to disclose the individual’s name.