KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 — An MP is entitled to a fixed allowance of RM25,700 monthly, as well as other claims depending on their eligibility, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
In a statement today, the PMO clarified this following allegations by certain parties, including opposition MPs, that their monthly income is so low that they have gone into debt.
According to the statement, allowances and claims that MPs are entitled to for official duties in the country are as follows:
— Parliamentary session allowance: RM400 per day
— Public Accounts Committee (PAC)/Select Committee meeting allowance: RM300 per day (outside parliamentary sessions)
— PAC member meeting allowance: RM250 per day (during parliamentary sessions)
— Official briefing allowance: RM300 per day
— Daily living allowance: RM100 per day (paid based on attendance in Parliament or official trip exceeding 32km from their residence)
— Travel claims: For self-driving, public or land transport
— Accommodation claims: Hotel, lodging and laundry service
For official duties overseas, allowances and claims that MPs are entitled to are:
— Meal allowance: RM340 per night
— Daily living allowance: RM170 per day
— Accommodation claims: Hotel and laundry service
— Transportation expenses claim: Land and air transport
— Currency exchange losses claim
— Tips: 25 per cent of meal allowance
“When combined, the total income of an MP can reach RM30,000 to RM40,000 per month as previously stated by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim),” the statement read.
It said the Prime Minister has advised all MPs to manage their finances wisely and to prioritise the people’s interests, especially lower-income groups in much greater need of aid.
Yesterday, Anwar rapped opposition MPs for exploiting the issue to gain public attention, with some even claiming they were financially burdened and in debt, despite earning up to RM40,000 per month.
He also said allocations for all parliamentary constituencies, including those held by the opposition, are channelled to the people regardless of their representative’s political affiliation.
— Bernama
