ALOR GAJAH: Federal constituency allocations are meant to serve the people, not Members of Parliament (MPs) and public funds must never be treated as the personal entitlement of elected representatives, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the allocations were intended to finance projects and essential improvements that directly enhanced the well-being of constituents, regardless of the political affiliation of their MP.
"Constituency allocations do not belong to MPs, they belong to the people.
"If RM2mil is allocated, it should be spent on schools, places of worship, repairing drains and addressing other pressing local needs," he said after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Ar-Rasyidin here on Friday (Aug 7).
Anwar said the principle had long been practised and should be well understood by lawmakers, particularly those who had previously served in government.
"If an MP is in the opposition, we will still ensure the allocations reach the people by channelling the funds directly to them," he said, responding to claims by several opposition MPs that the government had denied them constituency funding.
On a separate matter, Anwar said PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar had requested a temporary break from her party responsibilities due to prior commitments.
"She has a special programme elsewhere for a while, so I agreed to it.
"But she remains active in the party," he added.
