PORT DICKSON (BERNAMA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Bernama, pic below) confirmed that the development allowance for Members of Parliament (MPs) has been reduced to MYR1.3 million from MYR3.8 million.
Anwar said the move was meant to better control the country’s finances and would be implemented in stages.
“The allowance is the development allocations of MPs coordinated by the District and Land Office, and State Development Officer, (being reduced) due to economic constraints.
“It will be done in stages. This will set an early example, meaning MPs don’t mind the cut although they are not personal contributions but are development allocations,” he told reporters at Warung Pak Salleh yesterday.
However, the government would consider extending additional allocations if there were pressing needs in a particular parliamentary constituency, such as for repairing infrastructure, he said.
Media reports said the constituency allocations for government backbencher MPs this year have been slashed by over 65 per cent, from MYR3.8 million to MYR1.3 million.
According to the reports, the amount consists of a MYR1 million outright grant and another MYR300,000 for service centre operations.
Earlier, the prime minister mingled with the people and ate rojak and Chinese fried rice. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
“I know the community, state government officers and political leaders in Port Dickson. The army and police here too give good cooperation. I should be here more often. Glad to meet old friends,” said the former Port Dickson MP.
