BATU PAHAT: Pas has reminded its members of parliament (MPs) to secure the party's authorisation before entering any negotiations on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on allocations for opposition members.
Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs represent their parties and cannot negotiate independently on allocation matters.
"In PN, whether from Pas or Bersatu, party mandates must take precedence over any talks on opposition MP allocations," Tuan Ibrahim told a press conference following Pas Johor's 70th anniversary ceremony at Kompleks Pas Sungai Tongkang here last night.
He said PN MPs must have a clear mandate from their party for any discussions on the MoU, and reminded the MPs that they "cannot proceed alone as they represent the party".
Also present were Bersatu vice president Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin and Johor Pas commissioner Abdullah Husin.
Deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof was reported as saying that discussions with opposition MPs regarding allocations remain open.
However, negotiations with the PN bloc as a whole have closed, he said.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman claimed that despite meeting Fadillah thrice to discuss allocations for his constituency, he has yet to receive them.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin confirmed that PN unanimously rejected two draft MoUs proposed by the government on the grounds of constitutional, cultural, moral, and religious conflicts, as well as concerns over the potential abuse of power and restrictions on parliamentary freedom.