Newly-elected Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has voiced his disagreement with new Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian over the latter's plans to deny BN opposition members in the state development funds.
"I humbly disagree. I’ve shared my views with the team. We will draft a policy on this.
"For Malaysian democracy to thrive, we need a strong and credible opposition to hold us accountable.
"Fund them, not because they are our opponents, but because they are the check and balance," Syed Saddiq said in a Facebook posting.
Osman yesterday said that he would continue the former BN state government's policy of not giving development allocations to assemblypersons in the opposition.
“Why should we give? It is like giving them bullets, you'll see," he had said.
He also said the new Pakatan Harapan state government would have to consider its finances before giving official recognition to the state's opposition leader.
Asked to clarify his statement, Syed Saddiq said that he had spoken with Osman and other state Harapan leaders on the matter.
"The menteri besar is open to reaching a middle ground on this," he said.
The Bersatu youth chief added that Selangor was a good example of how a state government could channel funds to the opposition.