The works minister said the reduced funds will have a bigger impact on constituencies in the interior, affecting the quality of the MP’s services and distribution of aid to their constituents.

While acknowledging that there was a need to be prudent with the government’s finances, Nanta said this decision was “quite shocking” and that the government must take “proactive action” to overcome this.

“As the MP for Kapit, an area deep in the interior (of Sarawak) with geographical challenges as wide as Pahang, these funds would be insufficient.

“It will be a great challenge for me to manage the various needs of the constituents and implement much-needed improvements to the infrastructure in the constituency,” he said in a statement.

Nanta pointed out that most parliamentary and state constituencies in Sarawak were also deep in the interior, and that these constituencies were “very dependent” on the government’s development allocation for MPs.

He said the allocation had helped ensure aid could be channelled to the people more efficiently, and funds immediately disbursed through MPs’ service centres for urgent cases.

“Although I am a little slighted, I’m forced to accept this decision and I hope that these funds can be increased by the government from time to time.

“This is for no other purpose than to ensure that the people can be helped appropriately, in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani,” he said, referring to the Anwar Ibrahim-led government’s new official slogan.

Last Friday, Anwar confirmed the cut in development allowances for the MPs, saying this was to control the nation’s finances better and would be implemented in stages.

However, he said Putrajaya would consider extending additional allocations if there were pressing needs in a particular constituency, such as for the maintenance of infrastructure.