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Despite risk of GE16 defeat, Anwar's govt holds firm against equal constituency funding
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.
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 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 The government has even withdrawn control of funding from rogue PKR MPs.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.
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He also cited this practice in rejecting Abdul 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.
READ MORE: BN-PN tsunami could push Harapan to worst GE outcome since 2008, S'gor defeat
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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!
It's part of PH manifesto. Don't betray the trust.
Fair to all but his own NOs denied
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