Anwar said the MP made the claim in opposing the government’s efforts to introduce targeted subsidies and revamp the civil service pension scheme.

“There is one (opposition) MP who asked, why make these changes. When (the government wants to implement) targeted subsidies and change the pension system. He opposes it because (he says) there are MPs in the B40 (income group).

“What is he talking about? With salaries in the tens of thousands and allowances, (they are) still B40? What continent is this (opposition MP) from?” said Anwar, who is also the finance minister.

On March 5, PAS’s Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman claimed that some PN elected representatives were classified as B40 due to the government’s refusal to allocate equal funds for opposition MPs.

Latiff said this forced them to use their salary and allowances to help their constituents.

Anwar said the claim was false but would still be accepted by supporters of the opposition coalition.

He also reiterated that policy changes such as targeted subsidies and a revamped pension scheme were necessary and for the nation’s benefit.