Alexander hopes for future adjustments to MP allocations

 

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said he felt aggrieved by the slashing of federal funding for MPs as he represents a rural constituency.

“Although I am aggrieved, I have to accept this decision. I hope the allocations can be increased by the government from time to time,” he wrote on his Facebook page today.

Alexander (above) is currently in his sixth term as the MP for Kapit - a constituency located at the upper reaches of the Rajang river in Sarawak.

He said that as a cabinet minister, he understood the need for austerity when the government decided to slash funding for government MPs from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million.

However, he said the reduced funding was insufficient for rural Sarawak constituents who are in need of basic infrastructure.

“Previously, such funding was channelled to (MP) service centres which served as a ‘one-stop centre’ for constituents with immediate needs.

“The funds can be utilised immediately without going through the district office or government departments,” he said.

Government funding for MPs peaked in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apart from a fixed RM300,000 for running service centres, the government used to provide RM1.5 million which MPs can use as grants for groups, associations, and NGOs operating in their constituency.

An additional RM2 million was allocated for “project mesra rakyat” (people-friendly projects), which usually refer to funding for infrastructure.

In all, government MPs up to end-2022 could access up to RM3.8 million in government funding per annum through the Implementation Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department.

However, the current administration was only providing the RM300,000 allowance for service centres and RM1 million for grants.

Additional funding for MPs, if any, will likely be announced after Putrajaya passes Budget 2023 in March. - Mkini