Monday March 31, 2008
‘Help reps finance their service centres’
PETALING JAYA: A separate allocation should be provided to elected representatives to enable them to finance their service centres.
They should not have to use their allowances to maintain such centres, said Transparency-International Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.
He said it was unfair that salaries paid to the Members of Parliament should be shared with the respective political parties and to finance service centres.
“It is necessary for MPs, especially full-time politicians, to be given a more decent net income as this will help reduce money politics and corruption.
“They have to live in dignity and self-confidence, and it is not right to penalise them for serving God, the King and the country,” he added.
Navaratnam was commenting on the “On The Beat” column titled Our elected reps deserve better yesterday.
Among others it was stated in the article that it costs money to maintain a decent service centre and their allowances and claims as MPs, which averaged about RM13,000, was insufficient. A state assemblyman gets over RM5,000.
It was also mentioned that if they were not given more allowances, the Government should pay the salaries of their workers or research assistants.
Navaratnam added that money politics was the “Mother of Corruption” and, therefore, if the elected representatives were given a better deal it would enhance transparency and integrity.
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