Enact equal constituency development fund laws, Projek Sama urges Penang, S’gor

Civil society group Projek Sama has called on the Penang and Selangor governments to pass laws that ensure equal allocation of constituency development funds (CDFs) to MPs. They argue that the current system allows for the funds to be given or withheld based on political support, which creates a situation where public funds can be used as leverage over elected representatives.

Both Pakatan Harapan-led states have comfortable majorities and are capable of implementing such reforms immediately, according to Projek Sama. The group asserts that this move would demonstrate the PH's willingness to apply the same reforms in the states it controls as it pushes for at the federal level. They also support DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo's request for the government to fulfill PH's 2022 election promise of equal CDF allocations to all MPs.

While Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's recent announcement of an additional RM1 million per parliamentary constituency is welcomed, Projek Sama maintains that it does not address the core issue of executive discretion in allocating these funds. They warn that any further delays in enacting equal CDF allocation laws would undermine the credibility of PH's other reform commitments leading up to the 16th general election.