The PPBM reps had earlier today claimed that RM60,000 in “small development warrants” meant for their constituencies were not given and as such, they decided to boycott today’s “mini state assembly” held at a hotel here.
Chow said the small funds were now in the hands of “Adun Angkat” or adopted assemblymen.
He added that the Penang government had never withdrawn any development funds from the constituencies under these four PPBM assemblymen, who won their seats in the 14th general election (GE14) in May 2018 on a PKR ticket.
“This is because the voters (at these constituencies) had voted for Pakatan Harapan overwhelmingly in the past election. So, this small allocation for development is accessible via our Adun Angkat.
“While these PPBM reps are making a fuss about this allocation, they’re not revealing that they already receive a lot of money from the federal government.
“Yet, they chose to boycott today’s engagement session. This is not surprising behaviour from these four reps who betrayed their voters by jumping ship,” Chow said.
The engagement session refers to a “mini state assembly” meeting held over two days, starting today, to help all assemblymen get an update from the state government as well as ask questions on issues affecting their constituencies and the state.
The four PPBM assemblymen who claimed their allocations were “taken away” were Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya), Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam), Zolkifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang) and Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh).
Following their move from PKR to PPBM, the state government appointed Adun Angkat for each of their constituencies.
Deputy chief minister Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who is also Pinang Tunggal assemblyman, is the Adun Angkat for Bertam, Balik Pulau MP Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Teluk Bahang), Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar (Seberang Jaya), and Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik (Sungai Acheh).
These Adun Angkat have been given an additional RM150,000 in allocations and another RM30,000 in the second half of last year.
Currently, each state exco member receives RM400,000 in allocations, while each assemblyman receives RM300,000 in allocations, the state assembly had heard last year.
Meanwhile, senior exco member Phee Boon Poh said while the RM60,000 “small development warrants” were inaccessible to the four PPBM reps, they were free to apply for the funds directly from their respective district officers, who hold the funds.
“The allocation has not been denied to them, it has merely changed hands. They no longer control the funds.
“When Chow and I joined politics in 1990, we opposition members were not given a single sen in allocations.
“When I was the opposition leader once, I was not given anything, too. At least today, the PH state government is kind enough to give all opposition reps their allocations and more,” he said.
Separately, Chow said today’s successful engagement session shows that legislators can meet and there was no reason for Parliament and state assemblies to remain closed.
“Legislative assemblies are important at a time when there is Covid-19. This is to hold our government agencies to account and have their elected reps voice out the concerns of the people.
“We urge the prime minister to allow Parliament and state assemblies to convene,” he said.
Chow added that Penang was also discussing with the state legal adviser on getting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to approve the holding of the state assembly under the present emergency laws.
This is as per the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 gazetted by the federal government since Jan 11, which would expire in August.
The ordinance bans the summoning of Parliament or state assembly but these can still be held if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong thinks it is appropriate after consultation with the respective states’ ruler or governor.