KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the government does not provide allowances to any uniformed bodies of political parties using federal government funds.
In a written response posted on the Dewan Rakyat website yesterday, Anwar explained that assignment allowances are only given to registered volunteers under government agencies, in accordance to the rates set under the relevant acts and regulations.
"Among the government agencies that have volunteer members and are provided with assignment allowances include the Volunteer Fire Brigade (PBS), the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (CDF), and the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (RELA)," he said.
He added that providing allowances to the uniformed bodies of political parties is not an issue.
"The government always welcomes the active participation of all parties in volunteering activities to foster a resilient and sustainable society," he said.
Anwar's statement came in response to a question from Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu), who had asked for clarification regarding allegations that allowances were being given to uniformed bodies of political parties using federal funds.