By G Vinod FRI, 02 JUL 2010 10:54
KUALA LUMPUR: Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar expressed her disappointment over Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s announcement that only Barisan Nasional lawmakers will get an increase in their allocations.
The BN Backbenchers Club chairman Bung Moktar Radin today announced that BN lawmakers will receive RM1.5 million in allocations this year, compared with the previous RM1 million.
“It is highly irresponsible of the premier to do such a thing,”she said.
“The prime minister should be fair to all lawmakers as the the fund belongs to the taxpayers.”
Nurul Izzah added this is another way for Najib to placate his members in the ruling coalition.
She also queried whether the additional funds will be used on their respective constituencies.
“Right now, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating on how we spend our allowances but the MACC is pussyfooting when it comes to BN lawmakers,” Nurul Izzah said.
Meanwhile, Kapar MP S Manickavasagam said Najib’s move is unconstitutional.
“Both BN and Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers are elected by the people. So why discriminate?” he asked.
He also spoke of the woes suffered by Pakatan MPs.
“I have not received any allocation from the federal government for the past two years. Other Pakatan lawmakers are facing the same problem.”
“Fortunately, the Selangor government gives me some funds but it is not enough. I even have to use my own money to serve my constituents,” he said.
He added that if the prime minister is really a person who puts the people’s interest first, he should allocate funds to all lawmakers irrespective of their political affiliations.
“In the end, it is the people who will be getting the benefit,” he said.
