KUALA LUMPUR: A new claim has emerged in Selangor that the state funds for 15 Pas assemblymen have been diverted to other people.
Sources claimed that the RM800,000 allocation from the state government for Selangor Pas assemblymen had been channelled to PKR members.
A source in the Pakatan Harapan opposition pact claimed that the money was given to PKR members appointed as coordinators at constituencies held by Pas in the state.
“These PKR coordinators have also started campaigning for the 14th General Election (GE14) at those Pas-held seats,” the source said.
The insider also claimed that state assemblymen and members of parliament in Selangor were given RM300,000 and RM200,000, respectively, “on top of their usual allocation to give out before the election.”
“MPs and state assemblymen from DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara have all received their allocation starting Thursday.
"They were informed about the allocation during a meeting (on Thursday) and the funds were released to all Pakatan Harapan elected representatives the same day," the source added.
Attempts by the New Straits Times to reach Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Selangor PKR deputy chief Zuraida Kamaruddin for clarification on the claims were unsuccessful.
There are 15 state seats held by Pas in Selangor.
The seats are Taman Templer, Lembah Jaya, Paya Jaras, Chempaka, Meru, Dusun Tua, Tanjung Sepat, Sabak, Gombak Setia, Bangi, Seri Serdang, Selat Klang, Sijangkang, Morib dan Hulu Kelang.
Last month, Selangor Pas commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi raised eyebrows when he reportedly said the PKR-led state government had frozen allocations for Pas elected representatives and that he was informed by the state economic planning unit.
However, the menteri besar denied the allegation and said it was due to a "technical problem".
Unsatisfied with Azmin’s explanation, Sallehen had said Selangor Pas would raise the matter with Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah as a last resort.
In response, Azmin reportedly told Sallehen not to drag the palace into the affairs of the state, and dismissed it as “a childish act”.
On Jan 23, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim said Sallehen’s move was appropriate and that the state government’s action of freezing the allocation was a betrayal to the people.
When contacted yesterday, Sallehen said he was unaware if the RM800,000 allocation had been given to PKR coordinators.
“Up to now, the money has yet to be given to Pas assemblymen. I’m planning to get more clarification on this issue on Monday (today),” he said.
Pas and PKR were once allies but their relationship soured after the Islamist party accused the latter of breaching many conditions of their political cooperation.