RM60,000 versus RM500,000: Penang chief minister says still weighing DAP’s call for equal funding law

The Penang government is unlikely to introduce a proposed law guaranteeing equal constituency development funds (CDF) at the upcoming state legislative assembly sitting, due to time constraints, according to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. The law was presented at a state executive committee meeting on Wednesday, but the state government needs time to examine its details and engage with stakeholders before making a final decision.

Chow responded to the Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s recent call for equal funding, stating that the government would deliberate on the matter. DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had asked the Penang government to introduce the law on September 8, arguing that CDF should be given equally regardless of the political background of elected representatives.

The current disparity in funding sees opposition assemblymen receiving RM60,000 annually, while government assemblymen get RM500,000. Chow had previously stated that Penang would await DAP’s national leadership decision before proceeding with such legislation, acknowledging that the state had provided allocations to opposition representatives for many years.