Kuliah Sekejap : Peruntukan Ahli Parlimen - Apa, Berapa dan Untuk Apa?

Summary

In the latest episode of 'Kuliah Sekejap', the spotlight is on the controversy surrounding the allocation of funds to Members of Parliament (MPs) in Malaysia. Muar MP YB Syed Saddiq's 200km run symbolizes his protest against the government's selective distribution of these funds, which are not legally mandated but have been used as a political tool to favor ruling party MPs. The allocation, ranging from RM2 million to RM2.5 million annually, is used for various community projects and support, sparking debates on fairness and the need for equal treatment for all MPs, regardless of their political affiliation.

Takeaways

• 🏃‍♂️ Muar Member of Parliament, YB Syed Saddiq, ran 200km as a protest against the government's decision not to allocate funds to opposition MPs.
• 🔄 The issue of allocation to opposition MPs is not new; it has been discussed by both the current and former opposition groups.
• 💰 There is no legal obligation for the government to provide allocations to MPs, whether they are part of the government or the opposition.
• 📦 Allocations are channeled through the Member of Parliament Service Center and are separate from the annual budget allocations for government programs or projects.
• 👑 Allocations are approved by the Prime Minister and are managed by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) within the Prime Minister's Department.
• 🚨 The Prime Minister has full discretion to approve these allocations, making it a potential tool for political influence.
• 🏛️ Allocations are typically given to parliamentary constituencies controlled by the government party, but exceptions have been made, such as during Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri's administration.
• 💼 The special allocation can be used for various purposes, including operational costs, welfare assistance, community programs, infrastructure projects, and donations to religious institutions.
• 🏢 Funds can also be used for small infrastructure improvements at government facilities like schools, hospitals, and police stations.
• 💵 The amount of allocation received by each government-supporting MP is between RM2 million and RM2.5 million annually, with the possibility of additional amounts approved by the PM.
• 🌐 There is a call for a law or regulation to ensure equal treatment for all MPs, regardless of their political affiliation, to avoid preferential treatment and maintain political stability.

Q & A

What was the reason behind YB Syed Saddiq's 200km run from Muar to the Malaysian Parliament?

YB Syed Saddiq ran 200km as a sign of protest against the government for not channeling allocations to opposition members of Parliament.

Is the issue of allocation distribution to opposition MPs a new concern?

No, the issue is not new. Both the current and former opposition have raised concerns about the distribution of allocations to MPs.

What is the purpose of the allocation given to Members of Parliament?

The allocation is intended for specific purposes such as the operation and management of the service center, welfare assistance to the people, community programs, and infrastructure projects in the Parliamentary area.

Is there a legal obligation for the government to provide allocations to MPs?

No, there is no rule or law that obliges the government to provide any allocation to any Member of Parliament.

From where does the allocation money for MPs come?

The allocation money comes from the Prime Minister's special allocation for the Parliamentary area and can only be approved by the Prime Minister.

Who has the authority to approve the use of the allocation for MPs?

The authority to approve the use of the allocation has been delegated to the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) in the Prime Minister's Department.

How is the allocation used for the welfare of the people in the Parliamentary area?

The allocation is used for welfare assistance such as donations to disaster victims, financial aid to the sick, support for the elderly and disabled, and help for the poor and weak.

Can the allocation be used for infrastructure projects?

Yes, the allocation can be used for physical projects of interest, including building, maintaining, and upgrading basic and small infrastructure facilities.

What is the typical amount of allocation received by each government-supporting MP annually?

The typical allocation received by each government-supporting MP is between RM2 million and RM2.5 million every year.

What is the basis for YB Syed Saddiq's claim about the large allocations for government-supporting MPs?

The basis for his claim is that the allocation is flexible and can be increased by the PM based on additional applications from MPs, potentially amounting to tens of millions for one term.

What is the hope for the future regarding the allocation to MPs?

The hope is that a law or regulation can be enacted to ensure equal treatment for every MP, regardless of whether they are from the government or opposition.