KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — Development allocations for the people continue to be channelled to all parliamentary constituencies regardless of the political parties representing them, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The MADANI government adopted the same approach in distributing development allocations, including for repairing dilapidated schools, religious schools, minor roads, and mosques.
“And to assume that no allocations have been approved is something I disagree with, because allocations for the people are being provided,” he said in response to Besut MP Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh's supplementary query during the Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Zulkifly asked whether the government planned to enact a law to ensure development allocations were distributed equally to all MPs, regardless of party affiliation, in line with Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto.
Anwar added that the government consistently ensured all Parliamentary constituencies received development consideration, regardless of the elected representatives’ political parties.
He cited federal allocations for Terengganu, which increased from RM6 billion under the previous administration to RM8.2 billion in 2027.
“This is what I want to emphasise. I often compare the figures with those in 2022 because the increase is substantial, from RM6 billion to RM8.2 billion,” Anwar said.
The issue raised was actually related to the mechanism for channelling funds directly to MPs, rather than the absence of allocations for development projects in their constituencies.
Development allocations are not channelled directly to MPs, including those representing constituencies held by government parties. Instead, projects are determined through engagements with state governments and the relevant ministries.
He said direct allocations to Opposition MPs was previously implemented through an agreement under the Confidence and Supply Agreement.
National development priorities are determined through engagements with ministries, departments, state governments, and district offices, while also considering the government's financial capacity and the interests of local residents.
This approach forms the basis for the government's project selection to ensure development allocations are channelled according to each area's needs and priorities.
“This is our policy in determining projects, meaning development priorities within the framework of the national budget and development agenda,” Anwar said in response to Zulkifly's original query on the formula and criteria the government uses to determine constituency development fund allocations.
Citing Besut as an example, he said RM123 million had been approved for 197 projects and minor projects covering infrastructure, healthcare, housing, agriculture, education, and flood mitigation.
These projects included the RM8 million rehabilitation of Sungai Besut, the construction of the Jertih integrated bus and taxi terminal, an RM18 million security project at Gong Kedak Air Base, and the construction of a health clinic in the district at a cost of RM37 million.
The government is open to considering additional development needs based on local residents' interests, project priorities, and the government's current financial capacity.
