Muhyiddin: Funds will be given for development

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakatan Harapan Government has stressed that there will not be any allocations for Opposition assemblymen in Johor but it will provide funds for infrastructure development.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it was Pakatan’s policy to act responsibly and provide assistance for areas which were lagging behind.

“We have to help, including people who are living in Opposition areas and that is a priority of Pakatan.

“However, for Umno elected representatives, support will only be given in terms of infrastructure, such as allocations through the district offices to improve infrastructure development in the state,” he told reporters after visiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Rehabilitation Hospital in Cheras here.

Muhyiddin, who is Pagoh MP, said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian had been informed of this and he had been told to correct his earlier statement on the matter.

“I have informed Osman of this, maybe because he is still new as mentri besar, so we are giving him time to settle in.

“The general election is over, the people have chosen the government. So the Pakatan Government must take into consideration the views of all parties, regardless of ideology or racial background,” he said.

Osman had earlier said there would be no development allocations to all assemblymen from Barisan Nasional in Johor and that he did not recognise the Opposition head in the state. Meanwhile, asked about developments on Anwar’s release from prison, Muhyiddin said the matter was being worked on.

“I was made to understand that he would be released soon and this will be brought up at the Cabinet meeting,” he said.

Anwar, who is the de facto leader of PKR, is serving a fiveyear sentence for sodomy.

He is scheduled to be released next month but efforts are underway for him to get a full pardon which will allow his immediate release.