KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition member of parliament has called on the government to disclose how the RM952 million allocation intended for opposition MPs was spent, including where the money went and who received it.
Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (Pas-Alor Setar) raised the issue while debating the 2027 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat today, urging the government to table a detailed account of the allocation.
"The RM952 million allocation was supposed to be given to all 68 MPs. Where did the money go, how was it spent and who received it? Present the details in this House so we can know whether the promise has been fulfilled," he said.
Afnan said equal constituency allocations were among the promises made by Pakatan Harapan before it came to power and urged the government to honour its commitment.
He added that even MPs from PKR, a component party of the ruling coalition, had complained that their allocations were withheld.
"Three PKR MPs have complained that their allocations were withheld. This is a party that is part of the government," he said.
Speaking in his personal capacity, Afnan said his support for any government would depend on its performance rather than its political affiliation.
"If the government practises good governance and administers the country properly in accordance with the rules, there is no problem with it continuing to govern," he said.
He acknowledged that his personal views might differ from his party's position, but maintained that any government that performed well and adhered to established rules deserved support.
"Whoever does good, we support them, regardless of their political affiliation. But if they do something wrong, we will disagree and oppose them. That is a principle that must be upheld, especially by the opposition," he said.
Afnan also cautioned against allowing political differences to undermine the rights and dignity of the people.
"The people in this country, including those in this House, are human beings. We are not tools for accumulating wealth or merely securing votes.
"Nor are we tools for seizing power. People have dignity, rights, families and a future. We may belong to different political parties and hold different views, but our political differences must not cause us to forget or neglect the people we govern. The people have rights and dignity.
"Do not turn promises into bait simply to win elections. Cattle are held by a rope, while people are held by promises. If people break their promises, they risk ending up like cattle that have broken free from their ropes," he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
