THE Penang government has indeed allocated funds for the Opposition assemblymen to provide services to the people in their area.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow quashed the allegation by Zolkifly Md Lazim (Bersatu-Teluk Bahang), who claimed that the Penang government did not provide allocation for the Opposition assemblymen to provide services to the rakyat.
“The state has given RM30,000 to each assemblyman, including those from the Opposition, under the Pakej Bantuan Khas Penang Lawan Covid-19 (Penang Fights Covid-19 Special Assistance Package) so that the state elected representatives can provide immediate assistance to the rakyat.
“A total of RM1.2 million was set aside and distributed evenly to 40 elected representatives in Penang, regardless of their political parties. This shows our commitment to ensure that the people get immediate assistance regardless of their political backgrounds.
“The Penang government has also provided the P16 development allocations – RM400,000 for each state executive council (exco) member and RM300,000 for each state assemblyman – earlier this year.
“As of middle of this year, Dr Afif Bahardin (Bersatu-Seberang Jaya) spent 55% of the allocation while Zulkifli Ibrahim (Bersatu-Sungai Acheh) spent 95% of the allocation. Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bersatu-Bertam) used up 94% of the amount while Zolkifly spent 38% of the allocation,” Chow said, referring to the four new Opposition members in the House.
“So, to ensure that the people’s welfare is not affected, the state government has approved an additional RM150,000 allocation for each ‘Adun Angkat’ (foster assemblyman) to help the community.
“The state has also approved a RM30,000 allocation for each of the four Opposition assemblymen to provide aid to the people in the second half of this year,” Chow said in his winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Chow said the Penang government continues to provide allocation to the Opposition assemblymen regardless of their political parties, to ensure that the welfare of the rakyat in those areas are protected.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alvie Cheng and Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi