GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government will maintain the allocation given to Opposition assemblymen despite requests to provide equal funds to representatives from both sides of the aisle.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that it was better than the practice of zero allocations given to Opposition assemblymen during the time of the previous administration before 2008.
Penaga assemblyman Mohd Yusni Mat Piah from Perikatan had challenged Chow in the state assembly to provide the RM500,000 allocation given to ruling government assemblymen to the Opposition assemblymen.
"The breakdown is special account (RM200,000), community development projects (RM120,000) and special programmes and training (RM180,000).
"Is the Chief Minister brave enough to give such an equal allocation to the Opposition, unlike his predecessor," asked Mohd Yusni.
"Well, I am brave enough to maintain the present allocation to the Opposition," Chow answered.
Later in a Facebook post, Chow said there was a time when Opposition assemblymen had not received any allocation from the state government.
"However, the unity government after the 15th General Election is trying to continue the practice of the Pakatan Harapan government in giving an annual allocation since 2008.
"The amount, however, is not the same as given to government assemblymen.
"As such, I feel the previous practice is maintained and we will not revert to the old practice where there was no allocation at all for the Opposition," added Chow.
