KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition member of Parliament has praised Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari for allocating funds to opposition assemblymen in the state.
During the debate on the 2025 Budget at the policy level today, Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) made a playful remark as he lauded Amirudin (PH-Gombak), who is also a PKR vice-president, for displaying leadership qualities befitting a future prime minister.
Marzuk also suggested that Amirudin could play a pivotal role as a mediator in easing political tensions at the federal level, particularly on the ongoing dispute over the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government and the opposition on allocation matters.
"You are suitable to be a mediator to resolve this issue.
"In fact, from your administration style, you are qualified to be a prime minister," said Marzuk.
In response, Amirudin said the political rivalry in Selangor might not be as fierce as it is at the federal level, adding that the political dynamics between the two levels of government are different.
"Thank you to Pas and Perikatan Nasional for recognising that Pakatan Harapan has a good prime minister candidate.
"I have no issue acting as a mediator and holding discussions for the sake of prosperity and the common good," he said.
In September, PN had rejected two MoUs proposed by the government concerning MP allocations.
In rejecting the MoUs, opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had stated that both MoUs—one between the Government of Malaysia and PN, and the other between the Government and PN MPs—were unanimously turned down due to several concerns.
He claimed the MoUs contained conditions that could 'jeopardise the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras' under the Federal Constitution.
Following this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof rejected Hamzah's claim by providing proof to counter the allegations made by the opposition leader.