Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said, however, that opposition assemblymen could apply for funds from the state government.
“Such applications will be considered,” he said when answering a question from Zulkefli Bakar (PN-Penanti).
Chow admitted that when he was in the opposition in the 1990s, the lack of funds given to opposition-held areas was considered unjust.
“If the allocations are equal, government supporters will ask why. There needs to be a difference (in allocations), but we won’t stop opposition assemblymen from applying for funds from the state departments.
“At least we are better than Parliament. Until the federal government provides equal allocations, we see no need to go beyond what they are doing.”
Zulkefli later asked Chow if he would consider raising the constituency development funds and salaries for all assemblymen.
Chow responded: “If there is an urgent need, and if Parliament decides to restudy it (raising the constituency development funds or salaries of elected representatives) then we would also take it into consideration.”
He also said equal funding is not necessary as opposition representatives may apply for funds directly through the state government’s “no wrong doors” policy, which ensures that funds will be channelled to the assemblymen no matter from which department.
He said government assemblymen presently receive RM500,000 each year while opposition assemblymen receive RM60,000.
The discrepancy is due to the fact that constituency coordinators appointed in opposition-held areas are given RM100,000 annually to handle local requirements, he said.
“These funds are for the people, and state agencies and district offices ensure projects are carried out based on the people’s needs, no matter who they voted for,” he said.
Presently, only the Kelantan and Perak governments give equal allocations to all assemblymen.
Zulkefli had also asked why constituency coordinators receive more funds than opposition assemblymen, saying the current system in Penang is unfair to voters in opposition-held constituencies.
“These funds are the people’s right, not ours. Why are voters being punished for choosing the opposition representatives?” he said.