Slashed MP allocations to be raised during retreat
NOR AZURA MD AMIN06 Feb 2023 03:09pm
Ahmad (right) and Onn Hafiz (left) at a press conference after the 2023 Budget Dialogue Council at the state level at the Bangunan Sultan Ismail on Monday.
A
A
A
Deputy Finance Minister 1 Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said that a total of 148 MPs from the government bloc will attend the retreat held a day before the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes on Monday.
"Wait for the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's answer at the retreat session in Putrajaya. Certainly, the issue of development allocation will be raised during the retreat session which used to be referred to as a briefing session.
"Usually, a day before the Dewan Rakyat session, MPs will hold a meeting, but this time, the session is longer and held in the form of a retreat," he said.
Ahmad was speaking at the state level 2023 Budget Dialogue Council press conference at the Bangunan Sultan Ismail here on Monday. Also present was Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Previously, Kapit MP Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi described the development allocation as insufficient as his area was far inland with geographical challenges and its area was equal in size to Pahang.
On Friday, Anwar confirmed the reduction of MP's development allowance from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million.
Ahmad, who is also a Pontian MP, added that the 2023 Budget dialogue session was very important in getting feedback with a focus on education, health, rural, employment and youth issues.
"After this, I will go to Perak to hold a Budget 2023 dialogue session there. I have been to three states before, namely Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
"I may not be able to go to all states since the 2023 Budget will be presented on Feb 24, but this dialogue session will be carried on for the 2024 Budget," he said.
