Getting the message across: Syed Saddiq reaching the gates of Parliament after completing his ‘protest’ run. Running alongside him are Mohd Radzi (left) and Wan Fayhsal.
MUAR lawmaker Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman ended his 200km run from his constituency to Parliament, in protest against the lack of development funds being made available to Opposition MPs.
The “Langkah Muar” run that started on Friday ended outside the gates of Parliament at 9.30am yesterday. Syed Saddiq was accompanied by other Opposition parliamentarians such as Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) and Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin (PN-Putrajaya).
Wan Fayhsal had run with Syed Saddiq on the last 5km stretch to Parliament.
They were met at the gates by Opposition MPs Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN-Pendang) and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau).
Speaking to reporters after his run, Syed Saddiq said his demand was not partisan but based on the principle of just treatment for all MPs.
“Welfare aid must be given to all regardless of whether they are government or Opposition constituencies. This is an important matter and (funding for the Opposition) was part of the general election promises.
“That is why I have embarked on this small effort, by starting the bid to seek funding for Muar,” said Syed Saddiq, the sole MP from Muda.
He said government MPs receive RM20mil per term for their constituencies while Opposition MPs receive nothing although they also need to operate service centres, pay for staff and give out welfare aid such as wheelchairs, diapers and milk powder.
He added that several rounds of negotiations with the government for Opposition MPs to get development funds have yet to produce any result.
“This is no longer a matter of negotiation but revenge politics that is punishing the people in Opposition constituencies. This is wrong and we must oppose it together,” he said.
Syed Saddiq managed to raise RM160,000 from some 2,000 donors for his service centre through the run, exceeding the target of RM100,000.
Datuk Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai) said he currently spends most of his salary and constituency allocations for his residents.
“As MPs, we receive around RM25,000 monthly and our basic salary is RM16,000. On the first day I receive my paycheque, about RM15,000 would be spent on wages for my staff and on my service centre.
“The balance would be spent on my constituents who need help, such as those with children in school or university, or those affected by floods. The money is mostly out of my own pocket and I even have to borrow money.”
Idris said the government needs to educate the public on where they can seek financial assistance in emergencies.
“The allocation can be channelled to the district office or even an Umno office, but the people need to know where they can find such aid.”
He added that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) could be allowed to monitor the distribution of the funds if there were concerns about how they are spent.
