PN's call for constituency funds was 'disorderly', says minister

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has urged opposition MPs to raise issues regarding constituency allocations in an orderly manner, rather than through the media.

The government spokesperson said discussions should be held with Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who is in charge of the matter.

Fahmi told Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan to emulate how the “previous opposition” Pakatan Harapan handled the issue.

“When we were the opposition, we discussed the matter with then-prime minister, Bera (MP Ismail Sabri Yaakob).

“We did not talk about it in the media,” Fahmi (above) told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Yesterday, Takiyuddin said the government laid out seven conditions in exchange for allocations to PN constituencies.

Among the clauses included matters on 3R (religion, race, and royalty) speech, requiring PN MPs to declare their assets to the government, and agreeing to support the government until the end of this term, the Kota Bharu MP said.

Takiyuddin said his party was puzzled about why the government wanted to impose some of those conditions and what they had to do with allocating constituency funding to opposition MPs.

Elaborating, Fahmi said if Takiyuddin and PN handled the matter in an orderly manner, no issues would arise.

“Fadillah said it is only a draft... and go see him if there are any issues, and he’s open for negotiations.”

Fahmi suggested Takiyuddin meet Fadillah as soon as possible to talk about the issue, as it is the “right thing to do”.

“I urge Takiyuddin and his friends in the opposition to meet Fadillah immediately and discuss the allocation matter in an orderly manner.

“That is the right forum, and not via a press conference. That is disorderly,” the communications minister said.

Nothing unusual

Concurring with Fahmi, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran asserted there was nothing unusual about the conditions set, arguing similar agreements have been made in the past.

Kulasegaran then referred to the MoU signed between Ismail Sabri and Pakatan Harapan in 2021 as an example.

Under the agreement, the DAP leader said Harapan was required to either support or abstain from voting on Budget 2022 and other critical financial bills.

At the time, Takiyuddin served as the national resources and environmental sustainability minister.

“Hence, I urge PN to stop politicising the issue and negotiate with the government in good faith.”

‘Govt doesn’t play politics’

Separately, Fahmi denied Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s accusation that the government played up political sentiments, even though the opposition provided room to collaborate.

“I don’t see it. His statement is not true. The prime minister not only spends a lot of time visiting (places) to identify problems to be solved but also expedites projects, including in Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas in Kelantan.

“It is the Kedah menteri besar who plays politics to attract people. There is no need for that.

“An administrative officer has to prioritise the people’s well-being and ensure their welfare is taken care of,” he added.

Fahmi said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made it clear from the beginning that there would not be political sentiments in developing the country, including in opposition-administered states.

“Our emphasis is on good governance,” he added.

Speaking at the SG4 (four state governments under Perikatan Nasional) summit yesterday, Sanusi claimed ministers and their deputies in the federal government still took a political approach when dealing with opposition-led states.

The PAS lawmaker lamented this was the case despite the opposition’s willingness to collaborate with the federal government.

Takiyuddin: Seven conditions imposed on PN in exchange for MP funding

Fahmi refers to MOU when quizzed on pact with PAS

Opposition MPs yet to respond on draft MOU for funding, Fadillah says