Despite risk of GE16 defeat, Anwar's govt holds firm against equal constituency funding

Published: Oct 6, 2026 12:24 PM

The Anwar Ibrahim administration is not budging from its refusal to give all MPs equal access to constituency development funds.

This is despite the imminent threat that his coalition, Pakatan Harapan, may be relegated to the opposition in the next general election by an Umno-PAS coalition, in which case it could be victimised by its current policy.

It also marks a continued...

The Anwar Ibrahim administration is not budging from its refusal to give all MPs equal access to constituency development funds.

It also marks a continued refusal by the Anwar administration to fulfil a key Harapan campaign promise from the last GE.

At present, only government MPs receive the funds, with funding in opposition states handled by government-appointed liaisons. The government has even withdrawn control of funding from rogue PKR MPs.

This limits the ability of MPs to serve the constituents who voted them into office, while giving the federal government of the day economic leverage to sway voters.

Yesterday, two MPs - Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam) and Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) - prodded the government to put equal constituency funding into law, so that it becomes codified rather than left to executive discretion.

In separate written replies dated yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Mustapha Sakmud said Putrajaya’s position is that constituency development funds are meant for the people and do not have to be channelled through MPs.

To that effect, Mustapha (below) - who is the Sabah PKR chief - said the government does ensure that all constituencies receive equal funding.

jabatan penerangan parliament session photo set 210223 mustapha mohd yunus sakmud

He also cited this practice in rejecting Latiff’s call for backdated payments to opposition MPs.

However, the call for equal funding is not just being championed by the opposition.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and chairperson Gobind Singh Deo have, in the past two months, called for Putrajaya to enact equal constituency funding and fulfil its 15th GE campaign promise.

So far, only Perak and Kelantan provide equal constituency development funds to government and opposition representatives - albeit only through executive orders.

ADUN SPEAKS | Allocations are for the people, not political rewards

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Fahmi says govt may discuss call for equal funding 'in future'

Civil society groups, individuals call for Parliament to serve full term, pursue reforms

If the philosophy of politicians is to take as much as possible when in power, especially going to be the last term, then not surprising at all. Doing the right thing for the country is not in their calculations despite what they say.

cakap kosong11:43 AM, 07 Oct 2026

Allocations of development fund is the prerogative of the government. The point is that, Opposition states are still given allocations, but it is handled by government-appointed liaisons. The government has a right to determine how development funds are being utilised. I do not have much trust with the Opposition whose MPs dont even bother to attend Parliament for important debates and even do walk outs such as during the TH debate. And as a responsible government, why would it still allocate funding to rogue PKR MPs when it can direct the development fund directly to the people?

Bobcat202010:25 AM, 07 Oct 2026

Anwar firm in his position even though it was a promise in PH manifesto? So like what Tun said, manifesto is just a piece of paper.Anwar chose to renegade on his promise just like his other promised reforms.So why vote PKR again as it does not honor its promises? PKR now has no credibility.PKR now threatens voters with if not PKR you want PAS or UMNO? Voters have no choice but to pick the least of the evil? Rakyat should vote overwhelmingly for Bersama and ger rid of PKR for good and lessen DAP MPs in all urban areas to give Bersama a credible number of MPs.

BlueShark154809:53 AM, 07 Oct 2026

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cakap kosong11:43 AM, 07 Oct 2026

Bobcat202010:25 AM, 07 Oct 2026

BlueShark154809:53 AM, 07 Oct 2026

The rakyat should never have to depend on a politician’s goodwill to receive help. Whatever party they support, assistance should reach them because they qualify. That is precisely why I support the government retaining control and responsibility for these funds. It must ensure that no politician can block, delay or selectively distribute assistance according to political loyalty. Government MPs and penyelaras must be held to that same standard. An opposition MP not controlling the allocation does not automatically mean their constituents are denied help. The test is whether assistance reaches those who need it, fairly and promptly. Public money belongs to the rakyat. The government’s responsibility is to guarantee access, whoever they voted for.

Kopi Kurang Manis07:33 PM, 06 Oct 2026

So disappointed, DAP has no teeth, i really dont care that DAP is demonized by the malay elites/parties (it ALREADY IS) - so USE your power to FORCE anwar to push for these reform bills YOU PROMISED. At some point when these pushes DAP does benefit the country, the malays can finally see that DAP is doing good for the country, but they are too weak, even their leader AL cant resign properly. You're already going to be in opposition next round, so WHY WONT YOU PUSH FOR EQUAL CONSTITUENCY FUNDS?? IF ITS A MANAGEMENT / RISK OF ABUSE ISSUE, THEN DONT GIVE TO ALL 222 MPs, call for local council elections and give it to them, let MPs 100% focus on laws and writing bills with 365 days in Parliament, instead of the measly 4-5 weeks a year sitting in Parliament. So sick and disappointed with PH, i never expect BN or PN to deliver reforms anyway, but PH is the biggest disappointment for their lack of reform. I'll punish them by voting BERSAMA because they actually care about our nation's coffers and will table a Shadow Budget and a realistic manifesto for the rakyat that is quantifiable as KPIs instead of vague promising the moon and stars like PH.

YellowIguana568405:20 PM, 06 Oct 2026

This is actually interesting. Given that Harapan's chances of winning is waning, it would make it almost impossible to now vote for them. Assuming Harapan wins the seat but looses the government, they will have to commit harakiri by denying any allocations to them to keep to their principles. They cannot accept allocations as a matter of Principle. So why then should anybody vote for them? My Harapan MP definitely cannot run around like Syed Saddiq collecting money, so as a logical person, once simply cannot now vote for Harapan as they will reject any allocations if they loose the government

Suresh Gnasegarah05:07 PM, 06 Oct 2026

DAP has no say now in Madaini. Yes time to pull support for Pmx

GrayParrot929003:20 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Not surprising. Think no more money.

cakap kosong02:59 PM, 06 Oct 2026

It is so illogical for the PMX not to implement fair allocation to opposition MPs / representatives since it is in HARAPAN 's manifesto. It is so important for the party to fulfill it's promises otherwise how can the voters trust your manifesto in future?

UNDECIDED02:45 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Well, i hope Anwar and gang have accumulated enough to assist in your constitutions when you are back to opposition after GE16

Bornean02:42 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Hahaha! Coke is Pepsi - enjoy your drink, diehards. i'm switching

boboi01:59 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Surley there is no doubt anymore that Anwar will lose the next election badly.

Sealthedeal01:53 PM, 06 Oct 2026

The fact an MP has been elected by the voters of that constituency, he/she must be the one having the allocations to be spent there. The government can have all the guidelines and conditions to be fulfilled in the manner of the expenditure within the constituency. The ruling party should never usurp that responsibility by channeling the amount through its government offices, as this is bound to be seen as undemocratic. Lack of self-confidence is clear on the part of the ruling party!

KNSamy01:41 PM, 06 Oct 2026

It's part of PH manifesto. Don't betray the trust.

Basheer Ahmad Md Idris01:35 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Fair to all but his own NOs denied

YL Lai01:35 PM, 06 Oct 2026

If constituency development funds don’t have to be channelled through the MPs what records are there that the funds have been disbursed according to the people’s requests? How would the govt know what the people want? People express theirs wants through their elected reps and if the latter are not respected is this democratic? Or another authoritarian way of “serving the people” not the way they want but the way the madani govt wants? Isn’t it tyranny?

GP202501:32 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Stupid Madani government. Can they answer why it was part of their manifesto then? This will come back to bite PH in the behind very badly if the Blue-Green Alliance sweeps into power.

OrangeMouse941301:23 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Shows how out of touch anwar is

Logic Ah01:17 PM, 06 Oct 2026

An MP not controlling the allocation does not mean the constituency receives no funding. There are also party-run penyelaras offices that help residents raise local needs and apply for assistance through the designated channels. ICU under the Prime Minister’s Department handles the special allocations, subject to assessment and approval. We should judge whether the money reaches the people fairly and promptly, rather than assume it must pass through an MP to benefit them. I support this approach. But Parliament should also ask whether giving every constituency the same amount is fair. The December 2025 electoral roll lists 335,851 voters in Bangi and 185,893 in Hulu Langat. If both receive the same allocation, Bangi receives much less per voter. Allocations should take account of population, poverty, geographical size and infrastructure needs. The discussion should be about how best to serve the people. Equal amounts do not necessarily mean fair allocations.

Kopi Kurang Manis01:08 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Wait till yr relegated to the opposition bench after GE 16 and be taught the same lesson. Then why did you promise this on yr Ge 15 manifesto? Will regret it

ipoh pp04:32 PM, 06 Oct 2026

Stubborn, weak and clueless on country management.

GrayParrot929001:02 PM, 06 Oct 2026