KUALA LUMPUR: A lack of allocations should not be a hindrance for assemblymen from effectively assisting the Rakyat, says Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
This comes after an opposition member of parliament claimed that some colleagues from his party had fallen into the B40 income group due to the lack of government allocations.
Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (Pas-Kuala Krai) alleged that the opposition had never been given a single cent after 16 months under the PH-BN government, despite being duly elected by the people.
Muhyiddin said the matter was also brought up during the PN MPs and Assemblymen Convention here today.
"Tuan Ibrahim had advised that it should not be a hindrance or constraint to effectively assist because the public knows we are the opposition.
"The government bears the responsibility for the country's development, including the allocation of funds," he told reporters after the convention.
Although he acknowledged that the opposition was financially constrained and did not receive government allocations, he maintained that serving the people remained their ongoing responsibility.
"If assemblymen are unsure how to obtain resources or assistance for education and welfare, we can offer support... and it doesn't necessarily require allocations," he said.
In another development, PN intends to undertake a nationwide political tour with the purpose of addressing current issues and soliciting public feedback.
He said, among others, the tour would also focus on determining how the party could contribute to alleviating the burdens faced by the people.
He added the third force in the opposition bloc and Muar member of parliament, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, would also participate in the tour.
"It is a major initiative to go to every state, hold gatherings and the party's top leadership will also deliver speeches," he told reporters after the PN MPs and Assemblymen Convention, here today.
In response to a question regarding the tour's commencement date, he said it would take place after Aidilfitiri.