Comparing DBKL to a “secret society”, they said this was the first time it had not issued them an invitation to the presentation.
“They usually invite us every year for their budget presentation, but this year they didn’t, and there was no reason why they did not do so,” said DAP’s Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.
Kok Wai said although DBKL did not reveal much during each budget presentation, and would only invite the MPs after it had finalised the budget, at least they would be there to voice their concerns.
“This year, we were not even invited by them. We have not heard from them this whole year,” he said when met by reporters after a meeting with Kuala Lumpur mayor Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz this morning.
He added that this was their first meeting of the year.
Kok Wai was accompanied by DAP’s Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and PKR’s Wangsa Maju MP Tan Kee Kwong, who were also present at the meeting.
According to Kok Wai, the MPs were only given a booklet which summarised the budget.
“When we asked for figures, they were only willing to give us the lump sum of what they had allocated.
“These are unitemised figures, so we don’t know what they were used for.
“Kuala Lumpur’s budget is the fourth largest, I don’t understand why they have to be so mysterious,” he added.
Kee Kwong meanwhile said it was essential for MPs to have the information as they were answerable to their constituents.
He said it was embarrassing when their constituents asked them about the allocations and their plans for them, as they were unable to provide an answer.
“When we don’t know anything, we can’t get things done. When things don’t get done, we get the blame,” he added.
Kok Wai said the city mayor should meet MPs at least three times a year.
“This is our first meet after our last meeting last year,” he said.
On a separate issue, Lim said the mayor had confirmed that the government freeze on new condominiums or office buildings worth over RM1 million would not apply to all areas in the city.
Lim said he had asked the question in relation to Second Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani’s announcement on Nov 19 of the cabinet’s decision to freeze luxury property developments from Nov 1 onwards.
“We asked the mayor whether this would apply in all of Kuala Lumpur, but the mayor said it will only apply to certain areas as it is not possible, especially in Golden Triangle area.
“So they said they would discuss and make a suggestion to the finance ministry.”