GEORGE TOWN: Members of parliament will have to work with smaller development allowance following the government's decision to slash it from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

The Batu Kawan MP said he did not see any issue with the decision, but expressed hope that it would be reviewed.

"Have some trust in our leaders for them to review later," he said when met at the Komtar state constituency Chinese New Year open house at Komtar Walk here.

Elaborating, Chow said the development allowance was more to work with the community so that MPs could support them with the allocation to do small projects and organise programmes.

"It is all for the people. So, hopefully, it will be reviewed before we finish the first allotment," he added.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the development allowance for MPs had been reduced to RM1.3 million from RM3.8 million.

He said the move was meant to better control the country's finances and would be implemented in stages.

He added that this involved the development allocations of MPs coordinated by the District and Land Office, and State Development Officer.

However, Anwar had said the government would consider extending additional allocations if there were pressing needs in a particular parliamentary constituency, such as for repairing infrastructure.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/876454/chow-says-mps-will-have-work-smaller-budget-hopes-decision-will-be