Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rejected claims that the government treats opposition-held areas unfairly, pointing out that federal allocations for Terengganu have risen by RM2.2 billion.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat on 27 October, Anwar said opposition-controlled Terengganu would receive RM8.2 billion next year, up from RM6 billion in 2022.
He was responding to Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who said that while every parliamentary constituency was said to receive RM2 million a year, funds for opposition seats were administered directly by the government rather than through their MPs. He asked whether this was a double standard, and whether the government would introduce an Equal Constituency Allocation Act, as promised in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto, before the next general election.
Anwar said development funds were meant to benefit residents regardless of politics, and that not every project had to go through an MP, adding that even government MPs did not receive funds directly. He said RM123 million had been approved for 197 projects in Besut, including a new health clinic.
On equal allocations, Anwar said the government had offered a negotiation mechanism similar to the confidence and supply agreement he signed as opposition leader, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof tasked to lead talks. No agreement has been reached, and Anwar said the government would approve the arrangement quickly once the opposition signs.