Don't reduce constituency allocation, it's for the people - MP

 

Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan has expressed his concern over the constituency allocations for MPs which may be reduced by 65 percent this year.

He noted that while the government was taking steps to control its finances, he was adamant that allocations should be left alone as it was for the benefit of the people.

“Allocations channelled through MPs provide direct benefits to the people, (they) should not be disturbed,” he said in a statement today.

The Kota Bharu MP said these allocations are channelled through the MPs’ service centres in their constituencies through the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU).

He also said PN has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to assure that the allocations will be given to all MPs across the country as it was an initiative included in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto during the 15th general elections (GE15).

Takiyuddin cited a point in the manifesto titled “Equal Constituency Allocation” where it stated that Harapan will provide equal Constituency Development Funds (CDF) for MPs regardless of party in the interests of voters in their constituencies.

It also states that the allocations must be relayed through the Parliament and not the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“PN expects the federal government, especially the prime minister, who is also Malaysia's Minister of Finance, to prioritise the interests of the people and reduce elements such as abuse and revenge against the opposition.

“(The opposition) has received a legitimate mandate from the people through the democratic channel of elections (which is) compliant with the law,” he added.

On Feb 2, Malaysiakini reported that MPs may have their 2023 constituency allocations reduced by over 70 percent, from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million.

It is believed that the ICU, a division of the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD), advised government MPs in early January that their service centre funds would remain at RM300,000.

Backbenchers were also informed by the ICU that outright grants (OG) will be reduced from RM 1.5 million to RM 1 million.

Several lawmakers lamented that with the cuts, they would be unable to quickly resolve constituency problems and improve people’s lives. - Mkini