FINANCE Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz must provide more details of the proposed RM100mil gift to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, says Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

       “We want the Finance Minister to explain what happened.

       “Yes, there are entitlement to gifts in law, but how much was allocated?

       “How can the Cabinet approve it with such ease when the nation is facing a terrible economic crisis?” he said when debating Budget 2022 at the policy stage.

       An uproar broke out in the House last Thursday after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Pejuang-Langkawi) revealed that Najib had submitted an application for a piece of land and house worth RM100mil.

       Tengku Zafrul noted that such benefits were provided for under the law, adding that the Cabinet has yet to make a final decision on the matter.

       Since then, Najib clarified in a Facebook post that his office had merely applied for a home after the 14th General Election as stated under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.

       Najib later said that he was withdrawing the application.

       The government has since set up a committee to review the benefits for former prime ministers as provided for under the law.

       On a separate matter, Anwar called for the Election Commission (EC) to review the SOP on elections following the conclusion of the Melaka state polls on Saturday.

       He added that the SOP, which was issued by the National Security Council and Health Ministry, had stifled the democratic process.

       “The EC must carry out the review before the Sarawak state elections are held,” he added.

       He said the SOP had restricted voters from being allowed to make an informed decision through the ballots.

       The EC will convene a special meeting on Nov 24 in Kuching at which the election dates, including nomination and polling day, for Sarawak will be announced.