Follow Penang’s lead with lawmaker funds, Putrajaya told

Zairil Khir Johari said the Penang government’s decision is the right step towards promoting a mature democracy and national reconciliation after the 13th general election last May 5.  

(MMO) – Putrajaya should emulate Penang’s move in providing development funds directly to elected representatives on both sides of the aisle, two opposition parliamentarians said today.

First-term MPs Steven Sim Chee Keong and Zairil Khir Johari said the Penang government’s decision is the right step towards promoting a mature democracy and national reconciliation after the 13th general election last May 5.

“This should be emulated by all state governments in Malaysia and definitely by the federal government. This year, a total of RM185.5 million was allocated for all 222 parliamentary constituencies. This equates to around RM835,000 for each constituency. Unfortunately, opposition MPs have no power to manage or approve any project using the allocation. This is clear discrimination towards opposition MPs and in violation of democratic principles. It can also be seen as an insult to the rakyat in opposition areas,” they said in a joint statement.

Yesterday, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the state government would set aside an annual allocation of RM40,000 for each opposition assemblyman to finance small development projects in their areas, starting next year.

National news agency Bernama quoted him as saying that the allocation was discussed and approved by the state executive council last Wednesday, and will be part of the state’s 2014 budget.

Lim added that the state government had initially invited opposition benchers to become state executive councillors to give them a platform to serve and receive allocations, but claimed that the state’s offer was rejected.

Sim, who is Bukit Mertajam MP, and Zairil, who represents Bukit Bendera, said today that the state’s decision was evidence that the Penang state government does not “play politics” and is serious in pushing for national reconciliation.

The DAP elected representatives said it is only right for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to extend the same treatment to opposition MPs so they can fulfil their responsibilities as legally-elected MPs.

“We also hope the prime minister will take this opportunity to act rationally and set aside narrow political interests to make way for maturity of the political process in the country,” they said.

Previously, DAP’s Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj had filed for a judicial review of the government’s RM220 million development fund for federal constituencies.

The funds were allocated at a rate of RM1 million to each federal seat but were managed directly by Barisan Nasional representatives and without the knowledge of Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers.

The bid was, however, rejected by the Federal Court in January.