After repeated setbacks, opposition MP says will ask for allocation in 'afterlife'

 

PARLIAMENT | The opposition raised the issue of their constituency allocations once again in the Dewan Rakyat today, but this time it was painted with bitter sarcasm.

During his debate on the royal address, Ismi Mat Taib (PN-Parit) said that opposition MPs no longer intend to demand their allocations from the government, but will instead request it “in the afterlife”.

Ismi said he no longer feels the need to continue raising the demand in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I think, from now on, I don’t want to mention it anymore. We (the opposition) will only demand it (the allocations) in the afterlife,” he said this evening.

He lamented how the issue of the opposition’s allocation had been repeatedly raised, but had yet to be resolved.

“I have been foaming at the mouth every time I discuss the allocation for MPs, but there is still nothing,” he said.

Deadlock

The allocation for opposition MPs has continued to be part of a protracted debate since the formation of the coalition government after the 15th general election.

Previously, the government expressed its willingness to channel allocations conditionally, including through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that requires support for several government policies as well as asset declarations.

However, opposition parties have insisted that the allocations are rights that belong to the people, which should not be wielded as a political tool or linked to support for the government.

Until now, there has been no comprehensive mechanism agreed upon by both parties, depriving opposition representatives of development allocations for their respective constituencies.

However, civil society groups such as Bersih have urged the government to provide MPs with equal constituency development funding regardless of their political affiliation. - Mkini