Rafizi laments opposition idly waiting on equal funding for MPs

 

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli wants the opposition to be proactive in getting equal funding for MPs instead of just waiting idly for it to be handed to them.

For a start, he said the opposition - which consists solely of Perikatan Nasional - could take steps to address racial politicking.

"During the previous administration, there was an MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the government and opposition which detailed agreements on specific matters.

“For now, the opposition has not addressed issues (which arose from) its use of racial sentiments.

“They (opposition) have not initiated any steps. They are just sitting there and waiting for everything to be handed to them,” he was quoted as saying by The Vibes yesterday.

Rafizi (above) was commenting on PN parliamentary whip Takiyuddin Hassan urging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to provide equal funding to MPs as promised by Pakatan Harapan in its election manifesto.

Harapan had pledged to introduce a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that can be used by all MPs.

However, Malaysiakini recently reported that government MPs would have their constituency allocations for 2023 reduced by over 70 percent, from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million, with access to RM2 million in development funds cut entirely.

Anwar later confirmed this, saying the move was meant to better control the country’s finances and would be implemented in stages.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

On following the manifesto over allocation, Rafizi said the government had to prioritise the economy first.

“The opposition should be aware of the nation’s present economic state, which the administration had inherited from the former government.

“If the government were to cut back allocations for schools because we wanted to give equal funding to all MPs, then the people would not be happy.

“The opposition can do their part by initiating talks on certain issues, like what Harapan did previously (with its MOU) before the matter is brought to the cabinet,” he added. - Mkini