Bukit Gantang MP latest to pledge support for PM

PARLIAMENT | Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal from Bersatu has announced his support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He is the fifth Bersatu lawmaker to “switch” allegiance to the government to date.

Syed Abu Hussin (above) made the announcement during the Prime Minister's Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat this morning, where he also called on other opposition MPs to work together with the government.

“Speaking for myself, I’m ready to assist the government in building a Madani community, and towards addressing the issue of the rising cost of living.

“I hereby announce that Bukit Gantang supports Tambun (Anwar) as the 10th prime minister and his Madani government. Thank you,” he said.

With support pledges from five Bersatu MPs, Anwar should now have 152 parliamentarians on his side. However, this cannot be proven until bloc voting takes place in the Dewan Rakyat.

Prior to making the pledge, Syed Abu Hussin gave a lengthy speech about the importance of unity to the country.

He also sang praises for Anwar, saying that the prime minister has shown his commitment towards uniting the country ever since the PKR president contested for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in 1982 when Anwar was still with BN.

Let's unite

In his speech, Syed Abu Hussin also called for former prime ministers Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Bersatu president, and Ismail Sabri Yaakob to help Anwar.

He said the real threats that Malaysia faces today are not from foreign entities or even the communists, but instead from disunity among its people.

This, he added, would affect the government in its efforts to steer the country's economy and address issues such as increasing prices and rising costs of living.

“Thus, for the sake of our beloved country, I ask Tambun, Pagoh (Muhyiddin) and Bera (Ismail Sabri) to 'buang yang keruh dan ambil yang jernih' (take the good and leave the bad). Let's help Tambun to build a Madani community.

“And to opposition MPs, let's do our best to negotiate with the government until we can reach an understanding like what was done during Bera's time as PM,” he added.

In response, Anwar thanked Syed Abu Hussin for the support and reiterated his readiness to cooperate with the opposition.

‘Stop dreaming of taking over’

The prime minister also took a swipe at PN leaders, saying they should “stop dreaming” of taking over the federal administration.

“I understand that Kota Bharu is angry because of Bukit Gantang,” he said, referring to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan who accused Anwar of abusing government funds to amass support.

“His anger is understandable. (Because the opposition had been) talking about taking over the government every month, but every month they have members (MPs) switching allegiance.

“So, first of all, you should stop dreaming of taking over the government through backdoor means,” Anwar said.

In answering Takiyuddin's question on allocation for MPs, Anwar stressed that he had never imposed a condition where funding would only be channelled to those who support the government.

Instead, he told the Dewan Rakyat, that opposition MPs are only asked to negotiate with Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof first on matters pertaining to development allocation.

Anwar also lambasted PN leaders, saying that they had also withheld allocation for opposition MPs when in power.

Syed Abu Hussin previously indicated his readiness to support the Anwar-led government if Putrajaya can allocate enough funding for his constituency.

Prior to this, four Bersatu MPs shifted their support to Anwar's leadership.

They are Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).

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