KOTA KINABALU: United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangauhas lauded the announcement by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor that all 31 state assemblypersons would get RM 100,000 as Covid-19 aids.
“This is a good start towards depoliticalisation of constituency development fund (CDF),” he said in a joint statement.
The other signatories of the statement are Upko Deputy President Senator Datuk Donald Mojuntin and Upko Vice President , who is also Kadamaian assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedict.
UPKO also congratulated Datuk Seri Hajiji for starting to reform a flawed practice under the BN and Warisan-Plus era.
However, Madius said UPKO is of the opinion that the reform can be expanded and Datuk Seri Hajiji will be remembered by history if his government can enact a legislation that ensure equitable CDF for all ADUNs and MPs regardless of their party affiliation.
“Gabungan Rakyat Sabah should be more reformist than its predecessors,” he added.
Currently, the State Government gives a state minister annual allocation of RM2.1 million, an assistant state minister RM1.14 million and a government backbencher RM1.1 million, he said.
According to Madius, the Sabah state government also gives MPs RM 10,000 monthly to maintain their service centre, but the money is channeled to the Bersatu Division Chairperson for 14 opposition-held constituencies in Sabah and Labuan.
“The RM 10,000 should be given to the MP office elected by the people, regardless of party she or he represents. Giving RM 1.68 Million to the 13 Division chairpersons of the State Government’s anchor party should be stopped,” he said.
He said UPKO will advocate for this reform both at state and federal level not only under the present government, but also any political coalition seeking for mandate from the people to form the government in the future.
