ALOR STAR: Perikatan Nasional's members of parliament in Kedah have joined the chorus of criticism against the move to slash the development allowance for lawmakers from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million.

Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman described it as "disappointing and saddening for the people".

"The amount is way too small to address requests by the people for better infrastructure, repairing dilapidated homes, bedridden patients, education, floods, disasters, community programmes, mosque and surau repair, and youth and single mother programmes.

"It is unacceptable for the prime minister to reduce the allocation. It should revert to the amount approved by the previous government."

He said opposition MPs were in shock and had yet to be informed about the allocation for non-backbencher MPs.

"Is this a double standard by the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government for MPs who are not on the government side?

"Where is the democratic reform promised (by Pakatan Harapan)?"

Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin said: "PN MPs were not informed of the matter. We are in the dark on whether we are getting an allocation."

He said he hoped the issue would be debated during the Parliament sitting this month.

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

He said the move was aimed at improving control of the country's finances and would be implemented in stages.

He said the move involved the development allocation for MPs coordinated by the District and Land Office and state development officer.

He said the government would consider providing additional allocations if there were pressing needs in some parliamentary constituencies, such as for repairing infrastructure.

It was reported that the RM1.3 million allocation for MPs consists of a RM1 million outright grant and RM300,000 for service centre operations.

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said she accepted the decision.

Yeoh, who is youth and sports minister, said: "(MPs) have not been briefed yet, but I think we will follow the advice of the cabinet.

"If that is what is being allocated, we will (accept it).

"We will wait for the tabling of the 2023 Budget."

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is Batu Kawan MP, said MPs would have to work with a smaller development allowance.

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

"Have some trust in our leaders that they will review it later."

He said the development allowance was meant to help MPs work with the community, support small projects and organise programmes.

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

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/02/876580/pn-mps-slam-cut-allowance