Reps back Umno man’s call for states to manage development funds

 

State governments know more about what infrastructure projects need to be prioritised, says DAP’s Zairil Khir Johari.

PETALING JAYA: Several assemblymen have agreed with an Umno leader’s call for state governments to be given the power to manage their own development funds.

In commending the proposal by Umno Supreme Council member Abdul Rahman Dahlan, DAP’s Zairil Khir Johari said the distribution of power, especially when it came to the allocation of funds, was an important principle in democracy.

Zairil, the assemblyman for Tanjong Bunga and chairman of Penang’s infrastructure committee, claimed that the federal government was currently collecting “all the taxes” but funding was “randomly” given for certain projects approved by Putrajaya.

“It’s best for these funds to be given to the state governments because they know what infrastructure projects should be the priority,” he told FMT.

Johor opposition leader Liew Chin Tong agreed with Zairil, saying the federal government had too much power over the states.

Liew, the DAP assemblyman for Perling, said Putrajaya should be giving state governments more power in various areas, including health, economic development and education.

“The federal government has nothing to lose if it shares its tax revenue with the state governments.

“As economic development flourishes, resulting in an increase in tax collection, both federal and state governments will stand to gain greater revenue,” he said.

On Tuesday, Rahman said state governments should be given the power to manage their own development allocations to expedite the implementation of projects.

The former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said this distribution of power by Putrajaya was necessary as the state administrations were more aware of their own needs.

Permatang Pasir assemblyman Faiz Fadzil backed Rahman’s call, saying this was in line with the principles of federalism enshrined in the Constitution.

“The country’s revenue depends on the industrial performance of the various states. Therefore, the states should be managing their own allocations,” he said. - FMT