BARISAN Nasional assemblymen in Pakatan Harapan-led Johor should also receive development allocations for their constituencies, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said, in response to reports that PH’s menteri besar would not extend funding to opposition reps.

“I’ve shared my views with the team. We will draft a policy on this,” the 25-year-old from Bersatu said on Twitter today.

He was replying a Twitter user who expressed concern at the move by Menteri Besar Osman Sapian, who was sworn in yesterday.

“@SyedSaddiq, please voice out our concerns. We want equal funds for all representatives, irrespective whether its held by opposition or not. So that we can develop JB together,” Nimelesh said.

“I cannot agree more,” Syed Saddiq replied.

“For Malaysian democracy to thrive, we need a strong and credible opposition to hold us accountable. 

“Fund them, not because they are our opponents, but because they are the check and balance.”

Osman said yesterday after his swearing-in that he saw no reason why BN assemblymen should receive the funds. He said to do so would be akin to “giving your opponents bullets”.

But PKR-led Selangor and the DAP-led government in Penang had given allocations to state opposition assemblymen in the previous terms to help with infrastructure work and welfare assistance for citizens. – May 13, 2018