KUALA LUMPUR: Muda has described the Prime Minister's declaration that funds allocated for constituents under the opposition instead be funneled directly to the people as undemocratic.
In a statement today, Muda said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's should refrain from using allocations as a tool to coerce support from opposition parliamentarians and called for collaboration to empower and restore the people's trust in the country's democracy.
Muda also pointed out that Anwar's stance contradicted both his own stance and Pakatan Harapan's (PH) manifesto in the previous General Election.
"Last March, the Prime Minister was committed to providing fair and equal allocations to all Members of Parliament (MPs) regardless of their affiliation, whether in the government or opposition. This has been his longstanding position. The question is, why the change now?
"It also contradicts PH's stance in the previous general elections. The manifesto stated that PH 'will provide Constituency Development Funds (CDF) equally to all parliamentarians regardless of the party as they represent the interests of the people in that area. The allocation of funds must also be channeled through parliament and not the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).'
"Again, the question arises, why the change in stance? Have the positions of the PH MPs also changed?," it said.
The statement also called for Anwar to create comprehensive policies to ensure justice and the practice of democracy could smoothly function for the interests and development of the people who have elected representatives to speak for them.
"Muda urges the Prime Minister to uphold promises and stand firm with his initial position to provide equal allocations to opposition parliamentarians," it said.
Yesterday, in a firm rebuke to federal lawmakers who had directed insults at the government, Anwar declared that funds allocated for the constituents under the opposition would instead be funneled directly to the people.
In his winding-up speech at the PKR National Congress, Anwar, who is the party president, said the government would continue its commitment to channel allocations, as he had done since taking over Putrajaya.
"We did not channel those funds through the lawmakers (but) straight to the people. Why do we need to channel (the funds) through those MPs that have been hurling insults at us every day, trying to topple us," he said, as the more than 2,500 delegates and guests roared and clapped in agreement with him at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
