PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hit back at claims that the Madani government is sidelining opposition-held areas, asking in Parliament: “Zalim apa ini?”
He cited the increase in federal development allocations to Terengganu, from RM6 billion in 2022 to RM8.2 billion for 2027, as evidence that the PAS-led state had not been neglected.
“What discrimination is this? The word ‘zalim’ is often used by the Yang Berhormat. What injustice is this?” he said when answering a supplementary question from Besut MP Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh during the Dewan Rakyat’s Minister’s Question Time today.
Anwar pointed to projects involving dilapidated schools, religious schools, rural roads and mosques as examples of development spending benefiting Terengganu residents.
However, Che Mohamad Zulkifly was questioning not just the amount allocated to the state, but whether opposition MPs had equal access to constituency development funds.
He asked whether the government would enact legislation to guarantee equal allocations to all elected MPs, regardless of political affiliation, in line with Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto pledge.
The Besut MP said the government had indicated that RM2 million a year was provided for each parliamentary constituency, including those held by the opposition.
However, funds for opposition constituencies were administered directly by the government rather than channelled through the MPs themselves.
Anwar said development projects did not necessarily have to be implemented through the MP representing a constituency.
Ministries, government departments, state administrations and district offices could carry out projects according to local needs and priorities.
He stressed that the issue was the mechanism for channelling funds directly to MPs, rather than whether development projects were being carried out in opposition-held areas.
Anwar also said direct allocations to opposition MPs had previously been provided through the confidence and supply agreement (CSA).
The distinction is significant: federal spending on schools, roads and other public facilities can benefit residents in opposition-held constituencies without giving their MPs direct access to funds on the same basis as government representatives.
Anwar said development priorities were determined through engagement with ministries, departments, state governments and district offices, taking into account the government’s financial capacity and local needs. – October 27, 2026
