Penang govt cannot give MPs allocations: DCM II

By admin on February 2nd, 2010

GEORGE TOWN: The state government is not allowed to give any allocation to Members of Parliament (MPs) and if it does so, it would be in trouble with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Deputy Chief Minister II (DCM II) Dr P. Ramasamy said the state only gives allocations to assemblymen.

“I receive an allocation from the state in my capacity as DCM II and as Prai assemblyman, but no allocation is given to me as Batu Kawan MP,” he told a press conference here Monday.

He was commenting on the statement by Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng from PKR that all seven DAP MPs in Penang, excluding Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh who has his own funds as national chairman, have received some form of allocations from the state by being in charge of the state’s education funds, having access to the facilities of the Chief Minister’s office, or for holding state executive posts.

Dr Ramasamy, who is DAP deputy secretary-general, said Tan was making baseless allegations.

“Tan claims that Selangor provides RM100,000 allocation to all Pakatan Rakyat MPs.

“In Penang, there is not such thing. We have an MP allowance that is provided by the Federal Government, so Tan must stop making statements that are not true,” he said.

Tan, who has thrown his support behind fellow PKR member Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim in his spat with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, had said that in Penang, PKR was like an opposition party.

Ramasamy denied the statements by Barisan Nasional leaders that Pakatan was cracking and that it was going to fall apart.

“As far as DAP is concerned our relationship with PKR and PAS is good. The issue is an indication of frustrations of certain leaders rather than PKR being unhappy with DAP’s leadership or vice-versa.”

Ramasamy said criticism that Lim was a dictator was untrue as during state executive meetings, everyone was free to air his views.

“We are not forced to agree with whatever Lim has to say. We sort out our differences based on a democratic way to find the best solution to a matter,” he said.

When contacted, Tan said Dr Ramasamy’s explanation does not make sense.

“If the state government will get into trouble for giving allocations to MPs, why isn’t the Selangor state government in trouble?” he said.

Tan said it was not wrong to channel funds to MPs as this would enable them to do more for their constituents.

“You expect us to go with empty hands when we meet the rakyat (people)? There are cases where aid is required but because we MPs have no such allocation, we can’t help much in terms of financial aid,” he said.

Tan said it was unbecoming of Lim to keep asking others to reply on his behalf.

The Star - February 1, 2010 – By MANJIT KAUR
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/1/nation/20100201164852&sec=nation

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