In a startling revelation, former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has pointed accusatory fingers at the unity government, asserting that bribery is taking place through constituency allocations. Dr. Mahathir, through his X account, stated that opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) declaring support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim were allegedly receiving allocations typically designated for government MPs.
Expressing his concern, Dr. Mahathir revealed, "Bersatu representatives who switched to supporting the 10th PM admitted that they were given allocations for their constituencies, which are usually given to government representatives only. There are other gifts also acknowledged by Bersatu representatives." The former prime minister also asserted that those not supporting the prime minister were being deliberately excluded from such benefits.
So far, five members of Bersatu have declared their support for the Madani government. The latest addition to this list is Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, joining others like Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), and Zahari Kechik (Jeli). These MPs have openly claimed that their support is primarily motivated by the need to secure allocations for their respective constituencies.
Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal had previously made allegations that two individuals, known as "Datuk Botak" and a former political aide, were enticing opposition MPs to lend their support to Anwar's leadership. These claims were based on a circulating video on various platforms, including Facebook and TikTok.
Dr. Mahathir's accusations come amidst Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's denial of allegations that he is "buying" the support of opposition MPs. Anwar categorically stated that he had never met these MPs before their declarations of support for his administration. Addressing the matter during the PKR national congress, Anwar emphasized, "When they sought to meet me, I told them to make a decision (to support the government) before meeting me."
The ongoing saga has seen five Bersatu MPs declaring allegiance to Anwar and his unity government. The recent addition, MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, reiterated the motivation behind their support as securing essential allocations for their constituencies.
Amidst the allegations and counterclaims, the issue raises broader concerns about the transparency and integrity of political processes, especially regarding the distribution of constituency allocations. Dr. Mahathir's remarks highlight the delicate balance between political maneuvering and ethical governance, prompting further scrutiny into the practices of the Madani government. As the political landscape unfolds, the allegations of bribery and counter-denials add layers of complexity to Malaysia's evolving political narrative.
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