DAP’s Syahredzan calls for proportionate funding for MPs

 The MP for Bangi, the most populous parliamentary constituency in the country, says funds should be distributed according to constituency size and needs.

Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said equal allocations for all MPs do not necessarily amount to a fair distribution of funds. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan has backed the distribution of constituency development funds to all MPs, but says these funds should be distributed proportionately according to constituency size and needs.

Syahredzan, whose Bangi seat is the most populous parliamentary constituency with 723,800 residents as of 2024, said equal allocations for all MPs did not necessarily mean a fair distribution of funds.

He said Bangi’s electorate stood at 303,430 in the 2022 general election, nearly double that of Hulu Langat (166,902) and Puchong (152,861).

The DAP vice-chairman said Bangi’s electorate was also about three times the size of the national average for constituencies.

“The MP for Bangi (yours truly for this parliamentary term) effectively needs to serve 700,000 people – not just 300,000 – as he/she cannot discriminate or distinguish between voters and non-voters in the constituency.

“Therefore, any discussion about constituency funding must ensure not only equality of access, but also fairness regarding the amount of funds provided, depending on parameters such as the number of voters,” he said in a Facebook post.

Syahredzan said the allocation of funds to MPs should also take into account the need for more infrastructure projects in rural areas.

He said the cost of maintaining service centres and staff members also varies according to location, with some regions much more costly than others.

Failing to account for these factors would be unfair to voters in constituencies that need a larger share of development funds, the one-term MP said.

“To reiterate: there should be legislation to codify funding for all MPs regardless of political affiliation. As stated before, DAP will support the prime minister to realise such legislation.

“However, such legislation should not only guarantee equality in terms of access to constituency funds, but also be fair and proportionate to the number of voters and the distinct circumstances of each constituency.

“This is not for the MP, who will come and go, but to ensure fairness for constituents,” he said. - FMT