Poor Malays in Kuching missed out on a buka puasa celebration because the government decided not to allocate funds to opposition-held parliamentary constituencies.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament building today, Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry announced a week before Hari Raya that RM5,000 will be given to parliamentary constituencies nationwide to hold a buka puasa function for poor Malays.

"Before I even reached my office, a phone call came trough from the ministry saying that the amount was only for Barisan Nasional (BN) constituencies.

"I was totally disgusted by such a discriminatory policy to the extent that even such a small amount for a Hari Raya celebration for poor Malays can be deprived just because of political reasons," he said.

He said it is unacceptable for the government to use such funds to further their political agenda.

DAP Youth national secretary and state assemblyman for Lobak (Negri Sembilan) Anthony Loke, who was also present, said he experienced a similar incident.

Loke said he was mistakenly invited to a briefing yesterday on the setting up of a Rakan Muda Wawasan Desa clubs in every state constituency under the Youth and Sports Ministry.

He said the some 450 assemblypersons present were told that the club is designed to get those between the ages of 15 and 25 to participate in healthy activities.

"When the concept paper was distributed, two separate organisational structures were listed as 'Category A' and 'Category B'" he noted.

Minister rapped

According to Loke, Category A was for BN constituencies whereby the patron is the MP and advisors can be any assemblyperson.

However, Category B meant for opposition constituencies, stated that the patron is the district officer and one of the advisors must be the Umno division chief.

"This is downright discrimination in every sphere of government funding and machinery for BN's own political purposes.

"We cannot understand why the Umno division chief is involved in a government programme. It is as good as using government funds to set up Umno Putera and Puteri branches," he said.

Loke said if Youth and Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said cannot distinguish between ministerial responsibilities and self-serving party interest, "then I don't think she is fit to be a minister because this is misusing government funds and machineries to support party programmes."

This Rakan Muda programme is expected to be implemented next year and is currently still undergoing the consultancy stages.