ALOR GAJAH, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Government funding allocated to a parliamentary constituency is intended for its constituents and is not the exclusive right of its elected Member of Parliament (MP), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the funds were meant to finance facilities and improvements that raised the living standards of the people in the constituency.
“Allocations do not necessarily have to be given to MPs. They are for the people.
“If RM2 million is allocated, it should go towards schools, religious schools, mosques, drain repairs and other local needs. We will ensure that happens,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Ar-Rasyidin here today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan and Melaka Police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar.
Anwar said the policy had long been in place and was known to MPs who had previously served in government.
“If an MP is now in opposition, we will channel the funds directly to the people,” he said, in response to claims by several MPs that the government had withheld constituency funding from them.
Separately, Anwar said PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah, who is also his daughter, had other commitments requiring her attention temporarily, following her request to step down from her position yesterday.
“She has a special programme elsewhere for a while, so I said that was fine and we could accept it. But she remains active in the party,” he said.
“Allocations do not necessarily have to be given to MPs. They are for the people.
“If RM2 million is allocated, it should go towards schools, religious schools, mosques, drain repairs and other local needs. We will ensure that happens,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Ar-Rasyidin here today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan and Melaka Police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar.
Anwar said the policy had long been in place and was known to MPs who had previously served in government.
“If an MP is now in opposition, we will channel the funds directly to the people,” he said, in response to claims by several MPs that the government had withheld constituency funding from them.
Separately, Anwar said PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah, who is also his daughter, had other commitments requiring her attention temporarily, following her request to step down from her position yesterday.
“She has a special programme elsewhere for a while, so I said that was fine and we could accept it. But she remains active in the party,” he said.