Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
KUCHING: A Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president is confident that Sarawak government will consider allocating minor rural project (MRP) funds for opposition assemblymen to distribute to their respective constituents.
Talks on this issue are rife considering that the state legislative assembly (DUN) sitting is just around the corner (July 9 to 19).
“I am sure the Chief Minister (CM) will give consideration after seeing development in other states where Opposition Adun (state elected representatives) and MPs are given MRP fund. Let the CM make the announcement,” said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when contacted on this matter.
Abdul Karim is also Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports as well as Asajaya assemblyman.
Unlike the previous federal government led by Barisan Nasional (BN), the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has decided to allocate funds to opposition MPs even though the sum may not be as big as that for government MPs. In Sarawak, there are 19 opposition MPs including two independents.
On top of that the 17 Sarawakian MPs under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) fold are given allocations on top of the one given by PH.
“I think it’s premature for me to say whether CM will grant or not MRP fund to PH Adun,” Abdul Karim said.
Rumour has it that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will be making an announcement on the issue – good or bad – during this coming DUN sitting.
GPS is the government in Sarawak but opposition at federal level.
Meanwhile, Padungan assemblyman and Sarawak DAP publicity secretary Wong King Wei said Abang Johari had promised them (opposition ADUN) during the last Hari Raya Open House that some allocations would be granted to them for distribution to their constituents.