Muda, PSM call for law to ensure equal access to constituency funds

 

Muda and PSM have called on the federal government to enact a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act that guarantees equitable access to constituency allocations.

This follows concerns raised by Subang MP Wong Chen over alleged restrictions on his office’s access to the MyKhas online system used to manage constituency development allocations, among others.

The system is operated by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) under the Prime Minister’s Department.

In a joint statement, the two parties said constituency development funds are intended to help elected representatives address local needs through support for schools, community associations, welfare programmes, small-scale infrastructure projects and other community initiatives.

“CDF should never be treated as a political privilege reserved for certain elected representatives.

“It is a development instrument intended to ensure that communities across all constituencies receive the support and resources they need, regardless of which political party they voted for,” said the two parties.

Subang MP Wong Chen

On May 26, Wong told Malaysiakini that despite having raised the issue with PMD’s ICU, the problem remains unresolved after one week.

At the time, when contacted for follow-up, the ICU told Malaysiakini it would not comment on Wong’s case.

‘Allocations are for public’

Muda and PSM further argued that constituency allocations are public funds meant for public development and should not depend on an elected representative’s political affiliation, position in government, or administrative decisions.

As such, they proposed that a CDF Act should include:

• A transparent and equitable allocation formula for all parliamentary and state constituencies;

• Equal access to development funds regardless of political affiliation;

• Transparent monitoring and auditing mechanisms; and

• Legal safeguards to prevent governments from using constituency allocations as a tool of political reward or punishment.

The parties also called on opposition parties and MPs committed to institutional reform to support the legislation.

“This is not a partisan issue. It is a matter of fairness, accountability, and the right of all Malaysians to enjoy equal access to development regardless of the political party they choose to support.

“Constituency development funds do not belong to the government. They belong to the people,” they said.

‘Elected reps should not have to beg’

The parties further pointed to a judicial review filed by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman after he was denied access to constituency allocations following Muda’s exit from the government bloc.

“The fact that disputes over constituency development funds now require judicial intervention demonstrates the urgent need for deeper institutional reform,” they said.

Muar MP and former Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

They argued that elected representatives should not have to appeal, negotiate, or seek legal remedies to access funds intended for their constituents.

Previously, public interest research group Projek Sama reminded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Pakatan Harapan’s pledge in its 15th general election manifesto to provide equal CDF allocations regardless of party affiliation.

It also cited Harapan’s promise that such allocations would be channelled through Parliament instead of the Prime Minister’s Office. - Mkini