![[UPDATED] Anwar tells opposition to settle differences before seeking funds](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FDATUK_SERI_ANWAR_IBRAHIM_050825n01-1_1754363473.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Anwar tells opposition to settle differences before seeking funds
Anwar said the lack of unity among opposition MPs has made it difficult for discussions on the matter to progress.
"At the moment, there is no consensus. Some want to negotiate individually, others as a group. Some agree to talks, others do not.
"So I suggest that Arau (member of parliament Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim) first hold discussions with Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs and come to a collective agreement.
"Then, inform the Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof), who has been given the mandate," he said during Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQT) in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to Shahidan's request for equal allocations to be given to all MPs, including those from the opposition.
Responding to a separate question from Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who expressed his willingness to meet and discuss allocations for PN MPs, Anwar said he had no objection to a meeting.
However, he said the mandate to handle matters related to allocations had already been given to the deputy prime minister.
"I am open to a meeting. But in terms of allocations, we have already mandated the deputy prime minister.
"If it concerns allocations, I will leave that to him. For any other matters, I have no objection to discussions," he said.
Issues surrounding allocations for opposition MPs have persisted despite negotiations.
It was reported that PN had rejected two proposed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) by the government concerning MP allocations in September last year.
Hamzah claimed that both MoUs, one between the government and PN and the other between the government and PN MPs, were unanimously rejected due to several concerns.
He had also claimed the MoUs contained conditions that could "jeopardise the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras" under the Federal Constitution.
Fadillah, in response, rejected Hamzah's claim by providing proof to counter the allegations made by the opposition leader.
On Oct 21 last year, Hamzah had said that he was open to discussion with Anwar on issues surrounding the MoUs.
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