Govt agrees in principle to grant allocation to opposition MPs: Zahid

BALING – The unity government has agreed in principle to provide an allocation for opposition MPs, but only for their administrative expenses, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the matter is being finalised, with discussions being conducted by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof with the relevant quarters, and an announcement would be made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“At this stage, we agreed to provide the allocation to cover administrative expenses,” he told reporters during his walkabout programme at Desa Keda Sadek here today.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said this when asked whether the government would provide allocations for opposition MPs.

Prior to this, Fadillah was reported by the media as saying that no conditions were set by Perikatan Nasional during initial discussions on financial allocations for opposition MPs.

Meanwhile, Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said BN and Pakatan Harapan are in the final stage of discussion on the seat allocation process for the state election in Kedah.

“We are finalising the distribution of the seats for the election in Kedah. For the other (five) states, the matter will be announced when I am there,” he said. – Bernama, April 27, 2023