Govt still non-committal on law for equal constituency allocations

 Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud says such a law requires comprehensive consideration.

Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud said development funding will continue to be channelled based on constituency needs and the government’s financial position. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The government has yet to commit to enacting a law to ensure equitable development allocations for all MPs, saying the proposal requires comprehensive consideration.

In a written parliamentary reply, Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud said the government’s current approach was to prioritise development and public well-being regardless of constituency.

He also said the distribution of such funds must take into account the needs and priorities of each constituency, as well as the government’s financial position.

“Funding for projects, public facilities and programmes that benefit the people continue to be provided through the government’s existing mechanism based on the needs and priorities of the constituency,” he said.

He was responding to Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who asked how ready the government was to enact a constituency development fund law.

The issue has resurfaced in recent months, with DAP leaders urging the government to fulfil Pakatan Harapan’s election pledge to provide equal allocations to all MPs.

In August, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet might discuss legislation on the matter in the future, although it had not yet done so.

Meanwhile, Penang has begun work on its own proposed legislation, with chief minister Chow Kon Yeow stating that he had instructed the state legal adviser to draft an enactment on constituency development funds.

However, Chow said more time was needed for stakeholder engagement and deliberations, meaning the proposal would not be tabled at the state assembly’s November meeting. - FMT