Penang to give allocations to all reps based on 'existing policies' - CM

 

The Penang state government will provide allocations for all 11 opposition assemblypersons according to "existing policies".

According to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the amount allocated would not be the same as those given to assemblypersons aligned with the government.

"We (the Pakatan Harapan-BN coalition government) will continue providing allocations to all elected assemblypersons, be it from the government or opposition.

"However, the amount will not be the same," Utusan Malaysia quoted Chow telling a press conference after the executive councillors' swearing-in ceremony at the state legislative building in George Town, today.

The ceremony witnessed the swearing-in of 40 assemblypersons who won in the state election.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow with the state executive councillors

Chow said that all Penang assemblypersons will use the remnants of their allocations from the previous term for their respective constituencies, first.

"All representatives will manage the remaining allocations from the last term. There are leftovers from last year's budget after we limited usage (of allocations).

"This was done to ensure that there are reserves for the newly-elected representatives. The same goes for the opposition - if there are remaining funds, they would have to utilise that."

The DAP leader also urged all assemblypersons to put aside politics of hatred, race, and religious sensitivities in carrying out their respective duties.

Voiced disappointment

Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan voiced disappointment with the state government's policy of allocating uneven funds for government and opposition representatives.

"This not only shows that Chow and the administration he leads are biased, but they are also punishing voters who supported Perikatan Nasional in the recently concluded state election.

"Gerakan urges the Penang government to emulate PN which provides equal allocations to all representatives, including from the opposition, in the three states it administers," Gerakan said in a statement. - Mkini