N Sembilan Harapan reps told to return three months of state allocations

The state executive council of Negeri Sembilan has instructed 17 Pakatan Harapan assemblymen and two constituency coordinators to return state allocations for July to September, totaling RM174,000 and RM150,000 respectively, that were paid out a day before the Negeri Sembilan assembly was dissolved on June 5. Ismail Lasim, the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, announced the decision after it was raised at a recent special session of the state assembly.

Ten PH assemblymen and the two coordinators for Labu and Paroi constituencies must return the allocations, while seven former PH exco members are also required to return RM150,000. The state government approved the allocations for PH assemblymen on June 3, and they were transferred into their accounts on June 4. However, the assembly was dissolved on June 5, making the assemblymen ineligible to receive government allocations for public welfare, as they were no longer serving.

Asna Amin, the state exco for industry, technology, innovation, and digital, emphasized that the funds should not have been used after the assembly's dissolution, as assemblymen were no longer serving elected representatives. She noted that this is the first instance where funds were deposited after someone had ceased to be an assemblyman.

The menteri besar's office plans to issue letters demanding the return of the money, giving those involved 30 days to repay it.