RM60,000 versus RM500,000: Chief minister says still weighing DAP’s call for equal funding law

The Penang government is unlikely to present a proposed law for equal constituency development funds (CDF) at the upcoming state legislative assembly due to time constraints, as stated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

While a draft enactment has been prepared, the state intends to thoroughly review its details and consult with stakeholders.

This move follows the Democratic Action Party's (DAP) call for legislation ensuring equal development allocations to all constituencies, regardless of political alignment.

Currently, Penang provides differing yearly allocations to government and opposition assemblymen, with government members receiving significantly more funds.

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 12 — The Penang government is unlikely to table a proposed law guaranteeing equal constituency development funds (CDF) at the coming state legislative assembly sitting, due to time constraints.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he had instructed the state legal adviser to prepare a draft enactment.

“It was presented at the state exco meeting on Wednesday,” he told reporters at a press conference after presenting the Penang2030 eighth-year report card at Holiday Inn Resort today.

He said the state government needed time to examine its details, adding that an engagement session with stakeholders would also be required.

“We have some more time to deliberate on it,” he said.

Chow was responding to DAP’s recent call for Penang to enact legislation ensuring equal development allocations for all state constituencies.

On September 8, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the party’s central executive committee had resolved to ask the Penang government to introduce the law.

“CDF should be given equally, regardless of the political background of the elected representatives,” Loke said then.

He said the legislation would guarantee fair and equal treatment for all Penang assemblymen, irrespective of political affiliation, and that the same principle should be extended to the federal level and adopted by every state government.

The Penang government currently provides each opposition assemblyman with RM60,000 annually, while government assemblymen receive RM500,000 in yearly constituency allocations.

Last August, Chow said the state would await a decision from DAP’s national leadership before moving ahead with such legislation.

He said Penang had provided allocations to opposition representatives for many years, although they had repeatedly sought higher amounts during state assembly sittings.

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槟城首席部长曹观友表示，由于时间限制，槟城政府不太可能在即将召开的州立法议会上提出平等选区发展基金（CDF）的立法提案。

虽然法案草案已经拟定，但该州打算彻底审查其细节并咨询利益相关者的意见。

此前，民主行动党（DAP）呼吁立法，确保所有选区无论政治立场如何，都能获得平等的发展拨款。

目前，槟城每年向执政党和反对党议员提供的拨款不同，执政党议员获得的资金明显更多。

乔治市，9月12日讯——由于时间限制，槟城州政府不太可能在即将召开的州立法议会会议上提交一项旨在保障选区发展基金（CDF）平等分配的法律提案。

槟城首席部长曹观友表示，他已指示州法律顾问拟定一份法令草案。

“这份报告已于周三在州行政会议上提交，”他在今天于假日酒店度假村举行的新闻发布会上向记者们介绍了槟城2030第八年报告。

他表示，州政府需要时间来审查细节，并补充说，还需要与利益相关者举行一次磋商会议。

他说：“我们还有一些时间来仔细考虑。”

周先生此番言论是对民主行动党近期呼吁槟城制定法律，确保所有州选区获得平等发展拨款的回应。

9月8日，民主行动党秘书长陆兆福表示，该党中央执行委员会已决定要求槟城州政府引入该法律。

“选区发展基金应该平等发放，不应与当选代表的政治背景无关，”陆兆福当时表示。

他表示，该立法将保障所有槟城州议员无论政治立场如何都能获得公平和平等的待遇，并且这一原则应该推广到联邦层面，并被每个州政府采纳。

槟城州政府目前每年向每位反对党州议员提供 6 万令吉的津贴，而执政党州议员每年则获得 50 万令吉的选区拨款。

去年八月，周庭表示，州政府将等待民主行动党全国领导层的决定，然后再推进此类立法。

他表示，槟城多年来一直向反对派代表提供拨款，尽管他们在州议会会议上多次要求增加拨款额度。

昆耀命令行政议员在他卸任首席部长之前清理槟城2030计划中未完成的项目

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