Khalid: We’re taking BN lead on funds for elected reps

By FMT STAFF

SHAH ALAM: In a tit-for-tat measure, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim said the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government will give allocations to all assemblymen irrespective of party affiliations if the federal government did likewise with its parliamentarians.

He said the state opted to be selective as well because the Barisan Nasional-led federal government only gave allocations to BN members of parliament.

“We’re just followers… using the example set by the Federal Government. The state only channels funds through the Pakatan assemblymen,” he said.

Speaking to the media after the opening ceremony of the 12th State Assembly sitting yesterday, Khalid said: “If the federal government is prepared to act fairly in its distribution of allocations to MPs then we will do the same.

“Let them announce it today and we will follow suit tomorrow,” he said.

Khalid was responding to angry rumblings from BN assemblymen that they were not given allocations.

Selangor, with its nine districts has 56 seats in the state assembly. Each seat represents a constituency.

The ruling Pakatan Rakyat coalition – comprising DAP, PAS and PKR - collectively hold 36 state seats compared to BN’s 20.

Commenting on calls to increase allocations to state assemblymen, Khalid said there were currently no plans to do so.

He, however, warned that all existing allocations to the constituencies must be used carefully.

“The state assembly has set up a special committee to monitor the use of the allocations.

“The special committee has been given certain powers. It will monitor the way the allocations are spent and will fundamentally be the check and balance,” he said.

Touching on federal government allocations, Khalid said he was informed by the grapevine that each parliamentary constituency was allocated RM1 million.

“But the funds will only be channelled to BN parliamentarians. Teresa Kok and I are MPs for Seputeh and Bandar Tun Razak but we did not get any allocations.

“Unfortunately the allocations for my constituency was channelled to the Bandar Tun Razak Umno division chairman.

“At state level we are giving assemblymen RM450,000 to RM500,000 for each constituency.

“Constituencies that do not have a Pakatan assemblymen, such as Sungai Panjang, we have appointed a Pakatan Exco to handle the allocation and oversee their needs much like what BN has done, “ Khalid quipped.