KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — The mechanism for allocating parliamentary constituency funds and the influx of foreign nationals were among the issues raised during the policy-stage debate on the Supply Bill today.
Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) urged the government to enact legislation to ensure constituency allocations for MPs were distributed according to a proportional formula based on the number of voters and residents, regardless of political affiliation.
“For example, Bangi has more than 300,000 voters, the highest number in Malaysia, and a population of 700,000. Other constituencies, meanwhile, have only half or a third of Bangi’s number of voters.
“If Bangi receives the same allocation as other constituencies with far fewer voters, it would create an injustice, as voters in Bangi would have to accept, based on a rough calculation, an allocation per voter that is lower than in other areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) urged the government to issue a circular directing that all MPs, including those from the Opposition bloc, be invited to attend District Action Council meetings, enabling them to monitor project implementation and raise public concerns directly.
She said the involvement of elected representatives in the meetings was important to ensure that issues affecting their respective constituencies could be brought directly to the relevant departments and agencies for more effective follow-up action.
“We want to know the progress of projects, whether they are delayed, facing problems or cancelled, and who has been awarded the projects. For example, when flash floods cause difficulties for the people, we can deal directly with the relevant departments and agencies, chaired by the district officer, so that further action can be taken,” she said.
Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) urged the government to tighten national border security controls and conduct integrated operations to comprehensively curb the entry of undocumented migrants. He said these efforts should be supported by adequate infrastructure, equipment and manpower to prevent continued incursions through illegal crossing points.
“Once the national borders have been firmly sealed, we should then clear every corner of the country of undocumented migrants,” he said, while proposing stricter requirements for hiring foreign workers and faster repatriation procedures for undocumented migrants held at immigration detention depots.
On the issue of Myanmar refugees, Radzi urged the government to clarify the registration mechanism administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and increase diplomatic pressure to ensure the group was resettled in third countries as soon as possible.
Also drawing attention was Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), who proposed that the government consider income tax exemption incentives for individuals who employ domestic helpers specifically to care for their elderly parents at home.
Interjecting during the debate speech by Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor), he said the measure was important as Malaysia prepared to enter an ageing society phase, given that many people, particularly Malays, preferred to care for their parents at home rather than place them in care centres.
“Many people want to care for their parents at home and provide personal care. However, they are not given tax exemptions if they hire domestic helpers specifically to assist in caring for their parents,” he said.
Supporting the proposal, Wan Saiful said such an initiative could ease the financial burden on middle-income families who chose to hire domestic helpers to care for their parents at home, as the cost of private care centres could now reach RM8,000 a month.
He also urged the Health Ministry, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Economy Ministry and the Finance Ministry to conduct a financing-mapping study to coordinate welfare funding for senior citizens in a holistic manner.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes tomorrow. — Bernama