A Pas leader has proposed that the government abolish the special allocation of RM3.5 million distributed to each government member of parliament as a cost-saving measure amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The party’s Information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said if such a step were implemented, it would result in far greater savings compared with the proposal to reduce MPs’ petrol allowances of RM1,500.
“The savings would be greater if the RM3.5 million special allocation is abolished.
“The government can continue to assist the people in government parliamentary constituencies in the same way it assists those in opposition constituencies.
“Wouldn’t that be more effective? Savings of around half a billion ringgit a year.
“I am confident the government can agree to this.
“Then, if they also wish to abolish the petrol allowance, that is up to them,” he said on his Facebook page today.
He was commenting on a report citing the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), which put forward four key proposals to the government as measures to balance the impact of global pressures arising from Middle East tensions, including reviewing the petrol allowances of all 222 MPs.
Its secretary-general Ahmad Farhan Rosli said the move to review and reduce the petrol allowances of all Dewan Rakyat members could be seen as a symbol of leading by example and national solidarity.
MBM also recommended that the government expand the BUDI diesel subsidy and relax the conditions for private vehicle owners, with a reasonable quota of around 300 litres per month, as well as accelerate efforts to diversify the country’s energy sources by exploring alternative supplies outside Gulf countries.
Fadhli, who is also the Pasir Mas MP, said he personally had no issue if the government wished to implement the proposal to reduce petrol allowances.
“But the savings obtained would not be all that significant, RM1,500 multiplied by 222 MPs, and even then, after deducting Cabinet members who do not receive petrol allowance entitlements, how much would the monthly savings actually be?” he said.
