Opinion: A. Kathirasen
ELECTED representatives can sometimes demonstrate a distinct ability to befuddle or spew the most obtuse of arguments. The antics of some of our members of parliament, for instance, are well documented.
The recent scuffle in the Perak assembly, and the ignominious manner in which V. Sivakumar of Pakatan Rakyat was removed as speaker, are the latest examples of elected representatives' conduct.
Understandably, the people are frustrated with the power play, which has given rise to two menteris besar, two speakers and two state executive councils in Perak.
But, perhaps, we should not be so harsh on them. Just look at what the honourable members of that most revered of legislatures, the mother of parliaments, Westminster, have done.
While they talk about corruption eating at the vitals of society and how important it is to stop the rot, some of them have not been averse to lining their pockets with taxpayers' money, as an expose by the Daily Telegraph newspaper shows.
It is another reminder that things are not always better in London or Washington.
The honourable ladies and gentlemen in the land that bequeathed us our parliamentary, legal and administrative systems, can also be freeloaders.
Uncharacteristically, this is one case where government and opposition are on the same side: both have had a bite of the apple.
British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is said to have claimed, among other expenses, STG67 (RM362) for five pay-per-view movies, including two porn movies. Apparently, her husband had watched the movies. Among her other claims were STG2.50 for a toothbrush holder and STG14 for a doormat.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears charged a chocolate bar and a glass of wine to taxpayers. Cost? STG7.
Former agriculture secretary Douglas Hogg also exploited the lax parliamentary allowances system by claiming STG2,200 for cleaning the moat around his estate. MP Elliot Morley claimed STG16,000 for a mortgage that had already been settled.
And those tasked with verifying claims apparently did not smell anything when MP David Heathcoat-Amory claimed STG380 for the purchase of — get this — horse manure for his garden.
All 646 British MPs are entitled to claim expenses on two houses — one in London for easy access to Parliament and another in their constituency. The report reveals the abuses of this facility.
The revelations have caused a political convulsion, with junior justice minister Shahid Malik resigning yesterday.
He is said to have made the highest claim — STG66,000 — for his London home, while paying below-market rent for his constituency home. Morley has been suspended from the Labour Party and Conservative MP Andrew MacKay has resigned as aide to party boss David Cameron. More casualties are expected.
If such abuses can happen at Westminster, I wonder about here.
I remember former Kota Baru MP Ramli Ibrahim being charged with making false travel claims of RM792 for a return trip from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru on Oct 25 and 27, 2002. But, he was subsequently acquitted.
A Malaysian MP receives a basic allowance of RM6,508.59 but can make double the amount if perks such as travelling claims are included. The opposition leader's allowance is RM3,846.59.
Deputy ministers earn RM10,847.65 a month; ministers get RM14,907.20; the deputy prime minister gets RM18,168.15 and the prime minister is paid RM22,826.65. All also get allowances and perks.
Since politicians talk so much about transparency, why not upload claims made by MPs on the Parliament website? I, for one, would like to know what sort of claims my MP makes.
For a start, perhaps, the claims of ministers can be made public.
At the very least it might dissuade anyone wanting to make a claim for buying horse manure — or in our case, chicken **** from doing so. After all, we are already muddled enough in manure.
