KUALA KUBU BARU: Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has taken a jab at the government over allocations for opposition members of parliament.
The former prime minister said during his time in office, he provided funds to opposition MPs whereas now, those in the opposition have to request allocations.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, we allocated funds to them without them (then opposition MPs) even requesting them.
"There's a (proposed) memorandum of understanding (MoU), but if there is sincerity, then there would be no need for it."
Muhyiddin said when PN was in power, the government provided allocations without the need for an MoU or Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA)
However, the former prime minister said the opposition has not yet seen the contents of the MoU draft.
He said the party will assess first if there are any conditions, so as not to bind opposition MPs.
"We have yet to see the MoU. What are the contents, and if they provide allocations, the conditions are like this and ultimately binding us... we are not stupid even though we want allocations," he said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin criticised the government's inconsistency regarding statements about a purported house arrest order for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, labelling it 'extremely irresponsible'.
"We in PN take this matter seriously, and I believe the public also wants to know what is happening, even though the pardons board has announced its decision. But how can it spark another news (of this addendum order)?
"Unfortunately, neither the cabinet nor the prime minister have taken a stand. What is going to happen? I do not know so we are representing the opposition, as many people ask. I also can't answer," he said, adding that the prime minister has to correct the situation.
Regarding the fate of six Bersatu MPs and one assemblyman who had announced their support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Muhyiddin said that the party has discussed the matter and will take agreed-upon actions within the week.
"We have made a decision. We will take the steps that we have agreed upon within this week.
"We have submitted it to the Bersatu secretary-general for further action. Let's just wait," he said.
The six Bersatu MPs who announced their support for Anwar are Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjung Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari.
Earlier this month, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) approved an amendment to Bersatu's constitution that sees elected representatives who go against the party automatically ceasing to be members.
Previously, Muhyiddin claimed this would automatically trigger a by-election.