KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Friday said he will withdraw his request for his housing and land entitlement as a former Prime Minister, which is worth a reported RM100 million.

Speaking at a press conference, Najib also called on the government to remove the same entitlement for future former Prime Ministers, while saying those who have already received the benefit could keep the entitlement.

The former Barisan Nasional chairman is trying to put an end to the entitlement issue, which has been raised in Parliament, ahead of the Malacca State elections this Saturday.

“I was given three options. I don’t know the real value of the land, it is not my job to value lands. It is the job of the authorities to determine, and make a decision,” he said.  

He was referring to the land entitlement being part of three options given under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980, with the two others being a RM10,000 monthly allowance, and a government house complete with all amenities.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz confirmed in Parliament that the Cabinet had received the land request from the former Prime Minister.

Following what he termed as a “shocking” revelation, Pakatan Harapan Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said that the coalition will review “all forms of understanding” with the government.

The newly appointed Perikatan Nasional-led Cabinet and Pakatan Harapan had on Sept 13 signed a bipartisan Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on political transformation and stability, which includes an agreement for the current Parliament to stay until July 2022.

The Malacca State election on Saturday will see multi-cornered fights between Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan. The election is being held after four BN State Assemblymen retracted support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.