No govt funds for Muar after I moved to opposition, says Syed Saddiq

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman revealed today that the allocation for his constituency had been revoked after he announced his departure from the coalition government led by Pakatan Harapan.

Syed Saddiq said this was confirmed by the Implementation Coordination Unit, or ICU, following his announcement.

"As soon as I joined this bloc (opposition), the allocation was withdrawn," he said when raising Standing Order 36(6) after Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing accused him of spreading false news during the winding-up session of the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review by Education Minister Fadlina Sidek in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He also questioned why other opposition MPs had not received any allocations for their respective areas.

"The allocation of RM3.8 million that all government MPs receive – RM2 million – can go to building halls, renovating schools, and helping the needy, so don't accuse us.

"The question is, why do government MPs receive RM4 million while opposition MPs receive RM0? Answer the people," he added.

On Sept 10, youth-based party Muda quit the government bloc in a sign of protest against the move to discharge Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of 47 corruption charges linked to Yayasan Akalbudi.

Syed Saddiq, the Muda president, said the party would now function as an opposition third force.

"This is the start of normalising corruption," he said in a Twitter post.

"We cannot and will not tolerate this unprincipled move. I would rather be punished than lose my principles and commit such a big sin."

Zahid, the Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, had faced 12 counts of criminal breach of trust, eight of corruption, and 27 of money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to the charity foundation.

He was given a discharge not amounting to acquittal, or DNAA, on Sept 4 after deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, who was appointed to replace Raja Rozela Raja Toran following her sudden "early retirement", informed the judge of the request by the Attorney-General's Chambers to discontinue all proceedings against him.

Syed Saddiq had previously threatened to pull out of the government bloc, leading to a war of words with some DAP leaders.

On Sept 8, DAP central committee member and Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee Chuan How challenged the Muar MP to make good on his word, saying Muda's withdrawal from the coalition government would make it easier for them to focus.

"I am confident that with Muda's withdrawal of support and its removal from the unity government, it will be easier for us to focus.

"Our task in building the nation and attending to the people's welfare will be easier because we won't need to deal with the 'childish' acts of certain individuals and parties," Lee said.