The following is from MalaysiaKini
Kula: BN unethical to hold back funds
Opposition members of parliament are powerless and have no say in development funds allocated for their parliamentary constituencies.
Instead, they are at the mercy of non-elected BN component party members who call the shots in the development allocations.I poh Barat MP M Kula Segaran revealed this to Malaysiakini today and said that every MP is supposed to get an annual allocation ranging between RM500,000 to RM5 million as development funds for their constituencies.
Kula claimed RM5million was given to every BN MP just before the general election last year to boost their chances of winning their parliamentary seats while the opposition MPs were left high and dry with no funds allocated for their election campaigns.
"I have been an MP for three terms and I have yet to see a single cent coming from such funds which are used for projects to benefit constituents," said Kula."I guess only BN MPs have a say and are given the allocations for the benefit of their constituencies."
Umno has the final say in public projects
The normal procedure is for BN MPs to recommend public projects to the state development officer who in turn allocates the funds to the respective areas.However, the same does not seem to apply to the opposition MPs who have no say in any development travel expenses, printing bills, and providing for people in need of financial help."All MPs irrespective of their political leanings should be given the human capital and infrastructure to help solve voters' problems and to bring about development to their areas," said Jeyakumar.
"I have not been given the development allocations for the past 15 months since I took office as Sungai Siput MP. I'm lucky my staff are generous their time and money. "Their commitment to the party's political struggle is commendable and is far more important to them than financial security," said Jeyakumar projects as the power is vested in BN component parties who have the final say.
In Kula's constituency, Ipoh Barat, Umno has the final say in all public projects that benefit the voters."This nonsensical practice by BN is unethical and undemocratic as people who vote for the opposition are denied their democratic right as citizens to development projects.
"The development funds come from taxpayers' money and not from the pockets of BN for them to hold voters in opposition areas to ransom by saying 'vote for BN and you get development in your area ... or suffer'.
"If this does not amount to political corruption, then I do not understand what it is."
He said in a major democracy like India, development funds are given to all politicians irrespective of their political platform.
"Voters are not aware of this political chicanery by BN which was bragging that only BN MPs can bring about development if elected whereas opposition MPs do not have the resources."
Jeyakumar yet to receive allocation
Kula stated that every MP is given a RM6,900 monthly salary and RM6,000 monthly allowance, and opposition MPs are digging deep into their pockets for the daily maintenance of their public service centres.
One good example is Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar who booted out MIC chief S Samy Vellu in the last general election.Jeyakumar has to juggle his MP's monthly budget of RM12,900 to pay the salaries of his four party staff (three in Sungai Siput and the other in Kuala Lumpur), office rental,
Kula: BN unethical to hold back funds
Opposition members of parliament are powerless and have no say in development funds allocated for their parliamentary constituencies.
Instead, they are at the mercy of non-elected BN component party members who call the shots in the development allocations.I poh Barat MP M Kula Segaran revealed this to Malaysiakini today and said that every MP is supposed to get an annual allocation ranging between RM500,000 to RM5 million as development funds for their constituencies.
Kula claimed RM5million was given to every BN MP just before the general election last year to boost their chances of winning their parliamentary seats while the opposition MPs were left high and dry with no funds allocated for their election campaigns.
"I have been an MP for three terms and I have yet to see a single cent coming from such funds which are used for projects to benefit constituents," said Kula."I guess only BN MPs have a say and are given the allocations for the benefit of their constituencies."
Umno has the final say in public projects
The normal procedure is for BN MPs to recommend public projects to the state development officer who in turn allocates the funds to the respective areas.However, the same does not seem to apply to the opposition MPs who have no say in any development travel expenses, printing bills, and providing for people in need of financial help."All MPs irrespective of their political leanings should be given the human capital and infrastructure to help solve voters' problems and to bring about development to their areas," said Jeyakumar.
"I have not been given the development allocations for the past 15 months since I took office as Sungai Siput MP. I'm lucky my staff are generous their time and money. "Their commitment to the party's political struggle is commendable and is far more important to them than financial security," said Jeyakumar projects as the power is vested in BN component parties who have the final say.
In Kula's constituency, Ipoh Barat, Umno has the final say in all public projects that benefit the voters."This nonsensical practice by BN is unethical and undemocratic as people who vote for the opposition are denied their democratic right as citizens to development projects.
"The development funds come from taxpayers' money and not from the pockets of BN for them to hold voters in opposition areas to ransom by saying 'vote for BN and you get development in your area ... or suffer'.
"If this does not amount to political corruption, then I do not understand what it is."
He said in a major democracy like India, development funds are given to all politicians irrespective of their political platform.
"Voters are not aware of this political chicanery by BN which was bragging that only BN MPs can bring about development if elected whereas opposition MPs do not have the resources."
Jeyakumar yet to receive allocation
Kula stated that every MP is given a RM6,900 monthly salary and RM6,000 monthly allowance, and opposition MPs are digging deep into their pockets for the daily maintenance of their public service centres.
One good example is Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar who booted out MIC chief S Samy Vellu in the last general election.Jeyakumar has to juggle his MP's monthly budget of RM12,900 to pay the salaries of his four party staff (three in Sungai Siput and the other in Kuala Lumpur), office rental,
Comments
Post a Comment