With ministers and civil servants taking a pay cut to contribute to the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should also channel the RM1 billion slush fund allocated to his department, said Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, in a statement, pointed out that under Budget 2021, the Prime Minister's Department was allocated RM1 billion for "special projects".
The allocation allows the Prime Minister's Department to dish out projects at its discretion.
"While waiting for Parliament to be reopened, I urge the prime minister to advise the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to issue an emergency ordinance to reallocate the prime minister's RM1 billion special allocation for special projects under Budget 2021 to the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund.
"The RM1 billion is far larger than the three-month allowances of 220 MPs (estimated at RM16.5 million) that can be used to manage the pandemic," he said.
Apart from the ministers and deputy ministers' salary cut, some 800,000 civil servants will also see a cut to their allowances for three months which will raise RM30 million for the trust fund.
Fahmi said that he too is willing to contribute his allowances to the trust fund.
However, he wants to see Parliament reconvene immediately.
"Checks and balances have been handicapped since Parliament was frozen six months ago and it must be revived, particularly at a time when the pandemic is dragging on," he said.
Parliament was suspended when an emergency was imposed on Jan 11.
The government has refused to allow Parliament to convene during the pandemic, prompting accusations that Muhyiddin was using the emergency to cling on to power amid an uncertain majority. -Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.