Syed Saddiq became a model to help Muar

KUALA LUMPUR – Muar Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has once again voiced concerns over the lack of allocations for Opposition MPs, revealing that he had to resort to modelling to secure funds for his constituents.

He urged the government to provide a clear stance on the matter instead of playing guessing games and called for greater transparency.

"If you do not want to provide the allocation, just say it in Parliament. Do not say one thing inside and another outside," he said while debating the ‘Usul Menjunjung Kasih Titah Diraja’ in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.

Syed Saddiq stressed the need for mature politics, arguing that allocations should be based on the needs of the people rather than political affiliation.

"This is why it is unfair. I hope we can practice mature politics so that, regardless of whether we are in government or Opposition, the welfare of the people in our constituencies is prioritised, and assistance is not given based on political allegiance.

"How can we call ourselves a developed nation when we cannot even resolve such a basic issue? This has been raised for decades by those in the opposition," he said.

With no access to government allocations, Syed Saddiq sought alternative means to support his constituents.

Through a collaboration with a well-known local fashion brand, he successfully distributed over RM1 million worth of aid to Muar residents in the form of clothing and daily necessities.

He also revealed that no progress had been made despite multiple attempts to negotiate with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

"Letter after letter has been sent. More than 400 days have passed, yet the assistance from the government to Muar remains at zero ringgit.

"I have tried negotiating many times, but it has not worked. That is why I ran from Muar to Parliament. Recently, I became a model.

“Some MPs were angry at me for becoming a model, but I had no choice. In the end, Alhamdulillah, I managed to secure over RM1 million in contributions for Muar,” he said.

Last year, during the winding-up session for the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat, Fadillah stated that individual negotiations for Opposition MPs were still open, although group negotiations with Perikatan Nasional (PN) had been closed.

In September 2024, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin confirmed that PN MPs had unanimously rejected two government-proposed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on allocations.

He said the rejection was based on four fundamental reasons: the drafts contradicted the Federal Constitution, violated cultural, moral and religious values, were open to misinterpretation and abuse of power, and restricted freedom.

Previously, PN Chief Whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan alleged that the Unity Government had imposed seven conditions that Opposition MPs had to fulfill to receive allocations.