Support of two PN MPs for the govt need to be proven

SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim does not need to rush in approving all the facilities and benefits to the two opposition Members of Parliament (MP) who recently declared their support for the new unity government, as it should be received by any government bloc Member of Parliament (MP).

Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said this was because he did not want the unity government to be deceived by the cunning tactics of a few MPs from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) who seemed to be trying to exploit the loopholes in the Anti-Party Hopping Act to obtain all the development allocations and annual funding from the government.

He said with the strong position of the unity government, there should be no problem for the government to accept the declaration of support from Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid and Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman to strengthen the two-thirds majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

" I see the need for the government to assess the proof of their support and bilateral relations with the Madani Government first before deciding to provide development allocations to the two MPs from PN.

“I understand that there have been no negotiations between the government and the two MPs so far, as if their actions were unilateral.

"However, I want the government to be more cautious and not fall victim to several opposition MPs who are cunning and trying to take advantage of the loopholes in the Anti-Party Hopping Act to pretend to support the government, but actually just want to receive development allocation benefits," the PKR Central Leadership Council member told Sinar Premium.

He said this in response to Suhaili's decision, who was also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Supreme Leadership Council member to express support for Anwar's leadership on Monday.

Suhaili's shocking decision was made shortly after Iskandar Dzulkarnain decided to support Anwar's leadership on Oct 12.

Amendments to the Federal Constitution related to the Anti-Party Hopping Act passed in Parliament last year stipulated that any MP would lose their eligibility as a representative of the people if they jump parties, expelled from the party, or switch seats in the Dewan Rakyat from the opposition bloc to the government or vice versa.

However, the status of an MP as a representative of the people would not change if their party decided to support the government's proposal in the Dewan Rakyat.

Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim added that the position of the two PN MPs to support the government was a positive signal that Anwar's leadership was increasingly respected and trusted by friends and political opponents.

He said that the support of the two Bersatu MPs also strengthened the two-thirds majority support of MPs for the Madani government.

"I believe that the actions of the two PN MPs show that the country moving towards mature democracy, as practised in advanced countries.

“There, the support of opposition MP for the government's good policies is normal, and they do not need to leave their party or switch seats in Parliament.

"They also remain loyal to their respective parties as a sign of loyalty and respect for their own party and the people who voted for them. Through this step, the government can avoid the risk of holding by-elections, thereby avoiding wasteful election costs solely because some opposition Members of Parliament support the government's policies," he said.

Commenting on whether the actions of the two PN Members of Parliament might be using the system's loopholes to obtain annual development allocations, Hassan said he did not know the extent of their sincerity in their actions.

"I only emphasise that it is mandatory for the government to fulfil its responsibility in allocating annual development funds to every one of the 222 Members of Parliament, regardless of whether they are from the government or opposition blocs.

“The Prime Minister knows my stance. I once again suggest that this matter does not need to be negotiated, and there is no need to sign any memorandum of understanding (MoU) or openly prove support for the government.

"Development allocation for the constituency is the right of every Member of Parliament and should be channelled through their chosen representatives," he said.