‘Denial of funds belittles voters’ choice’

Why the need for an election if funds meant for MPs are not disbursed equally irrespective of the voters' choice, asks the National Institute for Election Integrity.

PETALING JAYA: The Barisan Nasional government’s action in denying funds to constituencies held by opposition lawmakers belittles voters’ choice.

Amin Iskandar, the director of the National Institute for Election Integrity (NIEI) board said: “Constituency funds should go to all MPs regardless of their political leanings.

“It is a right of voters to choose their representatives (to state legislative assemblies and Parliament). If the funds cannot be given out, why hold elections in the first place?”

Amin was commenting on the federal government’s direct denial of funds to constituencies held by non-BN parliamentarians.

In the 2008 general election, Pakatan Rakyat won 82 parliament constituencies. The BN has since been channelling funds to their own constituency coordinators instead of to the MPs.

The matter came to prominence following Sungai Siput MP, Dr D Michael Jeyakumar’s suit against the government for denying him the annual RM1 million constituency fund.

Pakatan equally guilty
Jeyakumar filed a suit two years ago and scored a minor victory on Thursday when the Federal Court granted him a leave application to question the government over the fund.

Amin also said the Pakatan-led governments were equally guilty of depriving state development funds to BN state reps.

“In the states where BN is the opposition, Pakatan is also doing the same, which is not proper,” said Amin, adding that this was because of excessive politicking by both sides.

Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR)’s Edmund Bon concurred with Amin, saying that the funds were vital for the development projects.

MCCHR, better known as LoyarBurok, is in the midst of a nationwide campaign called Undi Malaysia to educate the public on their right to vote.

“People shouldn’t be punished for their choice of candidates. It is tantamount to mistreatment of voters,” said Bon.