SHAH ALAM, Oct 6 — Development funds for parliamentary constituencies will continue to be channelled based on the needs of the people and local development priorities, rather than being treated as an exclusive right of elected representatives.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Sakmud said the government’s position was clear that constituency development allocations were intended to benefit the people, regardless of their MPs’ political affiliations.
“Development allocations for constituencies are fundamentally for the benefit of the people and are not the exclusive right of any MP, whether from the government or opposition,” he said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.
He was responding to a question from Sabak Bernam MP Kalam Salan on whether the government would make constituency allocations a legal right for all MPs instead of leaving them at the discretion of the executive.
Mustapha said development funds were provided to meet local development and welfare needs, with the government prioritising the interests of the rakyat regardless of political affiliation.
He added that the implementation of constituency development allocations currently follows existing government policies, financial regulations and administrative mechanisms, including processes to identify needs, assess applications and ensure funds are used for approved purposes.
“Any proposal to make constituency development allocations a specific right under the law must take into account the Federal Constitution, financial laws, public expenditure procedures, as well as the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.”
The minister said the government remained open to improving existing mechanisms to ensure constituency allocations were distributed in a more transparent, orderly and accountable manner.
“The government’s principle is clear: constituency development allocations are for the people. Whatever mechanism is used must ensure that these benefits reach the people effectively, transparently and responsibly,” he said.
