Newly self-ordained opposition MP Syed Saddiq of MUDA didn't appear like a "happy chappy" after discovering that the allocation for his Muar constituency had been allegedly revoked after he abruptly quit the government bloc recently.
This was a day after he had bluntly branded PM Anwar's unity government "Nato" - no action, talk only, when it came to reforms; especially the proposed separation of powers between the attorney-general and the public prosecutor which seems to be moving at a snail's pace!
As for opposition MPs' allocation, according to the Muda president, apparently the prime minister had promised last March for equal funding for government and opposition lawmakers; however, until today it is still zero!
He added: "Of the RM3.8 million that all government MPs receive, RM2 million can go to building halls, renovating schools, and helping the needy." Probably, bearing that in mind, he went on to warn that the government will be answerable to the people on this!
Meanwhile, federal minister Fahmi Fadzil, then responded to the Muda president's claim by saying that Syed Saddiq should first check with his opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin as to why they haven't received the allocation yet.
Apparently deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof had already asked opposition MPs last May to submit their suggestions and negotiate on their required sum; but until now they have not done so. Why?
Meanwhile, another contentious issue Syed Saddiq had raised was that relating to "asset declaration" by ministers - to which Fahmi explained that PM Anwar is working with various agencies including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to revamp the process to make it more transparent. (To be honest, isn't this case also seem to be moving at a snail's pace?)
No doubt, with all the daunting tasks and “road-blocks” ahead, the Muda president appears destined to undergo a “baptism of fire”. Yet, barely a few days into his new role, already he is audaciously locking horns with seasoned government MPs!
Moreover he also hasn't stopped attacking the unity government; still demanding PM Anwar to provide a satisfactory explanation from the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) on the controversial discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Umno president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He is not letting up; even though by now almost everyone in the country roughly knows the answer to that.
Indeed, ever since he pulled his party out of the unity government last week it must have been a real rollercoaster ride for the young leader. It was a move which denied the latter a crucial two-thirds majority in parliament - and which in the process has made him unpopular among several Pakatan Harapan and Umno MPs. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it was probably the right thing to do - somebody (from within the unity government) had to make a stand!
Then more recently, on 19 September, when almost all the opposition lawmakers had staged a walkout after Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin was ejected from the House by the Speaker for disrupting proceedings; to his credit he had stayed put on his opposition seat. Maybe, he knows after all, what side his bread is buttered on?
To add to all the drama, he is also now probably waiting anxiously for the verdict from the High Court - after being charged under Section 405 of the Penal Code for abetting in a criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million.
He was further charged for misusing RM120,000 from the bank account belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise; plus two other counts of engaging in money laundering in two transactions of RM50,000.
Incidentally, Syed Saddiq was the former Bersatu Youth (Armada) chief and the charges were made way back in July 2021 during ex-PM Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional rule; with whom of course he is now seated in the opposition bench.
But the irony is that, his lead counsel for the case is actually Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo, who comes from DAP, which happens to be PM Anwar's coalition partner in Pakatan Harapan and are part of the unity government - whom he had labelled “hypocrites” . Feeling all mixed up? Well, that's “rojak” politics for you - available only in multiracial Malaysia!
Still, perhaps, the greatest irony will be - what if Syed Saddiq is also unexpectedly given a DNAA by the court?
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