Opposition States Receive Highest Allocations From Economy Ministry Rafizi

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Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said, in fact, opposition states were getting more allocations compared to Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan (non-opposition states). NSTP/MIKAIL ONGGEORGE TOWN: Putrajaya has never sidelined any opposition states when it comes to distribution of allocations.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said, in fact, opposition states were getting more allocations compared to Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan (non-opposition states).
He said the issue raised by the opposition members of parliament (MPs) was for equal funding.
He said they wanted to use the RM1 or RM2 million for themselves under the guise of constituency development funds.
"Are you aware of how many allocation channels we have? There are various levels. In fact allocations are being given based on the area or even state.
"The highest amount of allocation handed out is under the Economy Ministry. And when we hand out the allocation, it will depend on the needs in a respective area. For example the drainage and the roads. And many of these are in the opposition states as we need to improve on the infrastructure, especially in the rural areas.
"In fact, the two states which always complained about lack of allocations are Penang and Selangor," he said to a question from the floor on equal allocations for all MPs.
Elaborating, Rafizi said there was another channel where the people could seek allocation directly from the ministry.
"We can show that the highest number of recipients are in opposition areas.
"What the opposition MPs are questioning is allocation for them to spend. When I was in the opposition, there was no allocation for us. We used our own money for our constituents. I have hardly a cent left from my salary during my first term. Whatever salary and allowance (available) was used to help the people.
"You can ask the opposition MPs if they are being 'dianaktirikan' (sidelined), especially when it concerns my ministry. None are being sidelined. When we plan, we don't go on the notion of opposition or government states. Which areas need hospital, we build. Which areas needed flood allocations, we gave.
"The states which receive the highest allocation are Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Sabah and Sarawak while Pakatan Harapan states like Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan received the least," he added.
Rafizi said while many people had their views on the matter, it should be in the right context.
He said he would leave it to the people to judge what the government had done.
Meanwhile, to another question on if Penang would be allocated more funds due to its higher contribution to the country's GDP, Rafizi said "the federal will break."
"If we were to go by the hard and fast rule, meaning, if states expect allocations based on GDP, I think the federal will break"
"This is because we have to take into account the totality of our economic growth then and now. There would be pros and cons.
"Just take Penang and Kedah. We have to take into consideration both arguments for states contributing to the GDP.
"Better performing states will claim that their engine of growth deserve greater financial support while less-developed states claim they need more investment to catch up after years of being left behind. It is a never-ending case of chicken and egg," he said. - NST

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