ALOR STAR: The Perikatan Nasional state government will continue to provide RM75,000 to Kedah opposition assemblymen.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said his administration would continue providing the allocation, which was introduced for the first time in the state in 2020, after he assumed the post.
"The RM50,000 allocation to be channelled quarterly to the opposition service center for the purpose of contribution, gift to the people and other programmes related to the service center.
"As for the RM2,000 monthly allocation or RM24,000 annual allocation to run the service center for opposition assemblymen will be retained in 2024," Sanusi said in his winding-up speech during the state assembly today.
Sanusi added that the total allocation for the three opposition assemblymen representing Sidam, Bakar Arang, and Kota Darul Aman constituencies cost the state government RM222,000.
"Although the amount is marginal, I truly understand as the opposition lawmaker, if there is no allocation we will suffer (and) it will be hard to serve the people (because) we need to pay for utilities for the service centre, to appoint officers.
"I know this well because I have experienced this personally while serving with an opposition assemblyman for many years. We had to sell laksa, 'toyu' (soy ketchup) and rambutans as far as in Kuala Lumpur to generate funding to run the service centre.
"As such, without the influence of anybody, I have announced the allocation for the opposition assemblymen's service centres, although the amount is marginal. They are still getting it," he said.
While debating the state's 2024 Budget, newly-appointed state opposition leader Bau Wong Bau Ek (Pakatan Harapan-Sidam) asked for the state government to approve a special allocation for the three opposition assemblymen in the state to fund welfare and community programmes.