Increasing allocations for MPs from BN shows bias
MP SPEAKS Sabah DAP is displeased with the announcement by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak that the allocation for each BN Member of Parliament will, from next year, be increased to more than RM5 million.
According to the prime minister, previously it was RM1 million allocation for each MP from the BN, and it is now an allocation of RM5 million a year and this will soon be increased to more than RM5 million a year.
However, I am in the dark about this statement by Najib. When, in this year, was the allocation to the BN lawmakers increased to RM5 million?
Najib announced that this is a five times increase. But why it was not announced publicly before this?
I now also want to ask all the MPs from BN: How have you been using this money for the people and to improve the infrastructures in your respective constituencies?
Such expenditures should be open and transparent for public access, since MPs are required to be accountable for the allocations given to them because the money comes from public funds.
I say that this allocation increase for the BN MPs is not viable, particularly at this period, because it will cost the federal government more than RM700 million for all MPs from the ruling coalition.
This is especially so because the country is undergoing a serious economic crisis now, with the Malaysian ringgit declining in value, causing an impactful damage to our economy and the livelihood of the people.
Gov't should reduce unnecessary expenses
The declining international crude oil price has indeed affected our government’s major receipts and income, which eventually affect the performance of the government.
Therefore, the government should try to reduce unnecessary expenses and focus the disposable expenditures on efforts to revive and recover our economy and create jobs.
Now, I also want to ask whether this increase in allocation for the BN lawmakers is to “show goodwill” to those MPs who are also unhappy with Najib and who question his role in the 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion “donation” in his personal bank accounts.
It could be perceived as a “political goodie” for BN MPs to swear their support for the prime minister and to lure them away from backing any non-confidence motion against Najib in Parliament.
I also see the BN government as being unfair to the opposition MPs, because the RM5 million for each of the BN MPs comes from the people’s money. So, why is it not allocated to the opposition MPs as well?
It is indeed very disappointing that the BN does not respect the spirit of democracy, under which opposition party representatives are also given equal treatment and allocations as others, as long as they are elected by the people.
Just consider the situation in Selangor and Penang, which are governed by parties in opposition to the federal government.
These two states have had actually set a good example by giving opposition (BN) representatives as well allocations for their constituencies.
Why doesn’t the federal government show similar respect to the opposition as well? Even if the people vote for the opposition, they are citizens, aren’t they?
The government should treat all people equally and fairly, for it is the duty of government to take care of everybody, regardless of their political stance.
Clearly, the increase in the allocation for the BN lawmakers is biased against the opposition, and aimed at making the Opposition MPs unable to help their constituents: a very clear example of the BN jeopardising and marginalising the opposition and their constituents.
STEPHEN WONG TIEN FATT is Sabah DAP deputy chairperson and the MP for Sandakan.
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