KUCHING: The special funds Putrajaya recently granted are to boost economic growth and will be given to all constituencies, said Santubong MP Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
“It is not purely political but similar to the pre-emptive budgets of 2001 and 2003. If there is any political spin-off or returns, it is incidental.
“I believe it is given to all constituencies but not to all members of parliament,” he said in an SMS here yesterday.
He was asked to comment
on a recent exclusive report that pointed out that the Prime Minister’s Department had doled out funds ahead of polls.
Wan Junaidi, who is Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, recalled that Barisan Nasional MPs had requested for more allocations for rural seats during recent dialogues with Premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“The BN MPs’ suggestion was to concentrate on rural areas especially where BN is strong, to show appreciation for past support and encourage future similar support.”
Wan Junaidi said the special funds would help Sarawak MPs fulfil some of the delayed minor rural projects promised in previous years.
He explained that some minor rural projects were not completed because the funds under specific government programmes were disrupted during the state election.
“The sum (of special funds) may not be sufficient but certainly would be able to cover some immediate needs,” he said.
He added that “good BN supporters” would certainly appreciate it.