KUALA LUMPUR: Pas is hoping the federal administration will immediately grant allocation to opposition members of Parliament, similar to those enjoyed by elected representatives of parties aligned with the unity government.
Its deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said equal distribution to all MPs will not only help to produce constructive opposition in Parliament but also foster greater democracy in the country.
Granting the allocation to the opposition, said Tuan Ibrahim, will reflect the reforms promised and promoted by the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership.
"The opposition was also chosen and voted in by the people (in the general election). The government, therefore, should respect the choice of the people by disbursing the allocation to the opposition MPs.
"This will enable the opposition elected representatives to carry out their duties effectively providing checks and balances against the government.
"Having said that, we will wait and closely monitor developments on the matter," the Kubang Kerian MP told Berita Harian.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Cheka state assemblyman of Pahang, also urged all state governments to emulate the Kelantan and Perak state administrations which granted equal distribution of allocations to all state assemblymen.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the unity government secretariat would meet on Wednesday to discuss allocations for opposition MPs.
The meeting, said Fadillah, was a follow-up to meeting he had with Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee last month.
"I asked what they wanted, and he (Hamzah) said they wanted allocations and that they would leave it to the government to decide on the conditions (for the allocations)," Fadillah said.