Fadillah, who also holds the energy transition and water transformation portfolio, said the committee was needed to carefully assess opposition proposals and reach a comprehensive, consensus-based solution.

“This government operates on consensus, so we need to reach one,” Bernama quoted him as saying after chairing a special committee meeting on national river water quality today.

“But there is no need to bring it to the media. If anyone wants to discuss, we can discuss.”

Fadillah also said only Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had approached him, but pointed out that the Muar MP did not officially represent the opposition, which is led by Hamzah Zainudin in Parliament.

“In the past, the opposition refused to negotiate on allocations.

“That’s why I said there have been no negotiations – only Syed Saddiq has submitted proposals, and no one else. What else can we do?” he asked, adding that no discussions had been held with Hamzah.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that there were no conditions requiring opposition MPs to support him in order to receive allocations.

Perikatan Nasional previously rejected a draft memorandum of understanding from the government regarding allocations for its MPs.