KOTA KINABALU – The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) has welcomed the Sabah government’s RM100,000 allocation, as part of Covid-19 aid, to each of the state’s 31 opposition assemblymen.
The party, in a statement today, congratulated Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor over the reform, saying it is a good start to the “depoliticisation” of constituency development funds (CDF).
It added, however, that such reform can be expanded.
“History will remember Hajiji if his government enacts legislation that ensures equitable CDF for all assemblymen and MPs, regardless of their party affiliation.”
The state government provides a state minister with an annual allocation of RM2.1 million, assistant state minister (RM1.14 million) and government backbencher (RM1.1 million).
It also provides MPs with RM10,000 a month to maintain their service centres, but in the state’s 14 opposition-held parliamentary constituencies, the money is channelled to Bersatu division chiefs.
Yesterday, Hajiji announced a special allocation of RM3.1 million for all opposition reps to help them resolve pandemic-related issues in their constituencies.
Upko holds only the Kadamaian state seat, while parties in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah have 44. – Bernama, February 10, 2021
