KUALA LUMPUR: The government should enact legislation to guarantee constituency allocations for all members of parliament (MPs), regardless of political affiliation, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said.
He said the amount allocated should be determined using a proportional formula to ensure fair distribution.
The lack of legislation or guidelines guaranteeing allocations to all MPs, regardless of political affiliation, was an issue that needed to be addressed in 2027 Budget, he said.
"This is in line with the concept of a national covenant, which emphasises the government's trust and responsibility to act fairly and do its best for the people after receiving their mandate," he said.
Syahredzan was speaking during the debate on the Supply Bill (2027 Budget) in the Dewan Rakyat.
DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo had also called on the government to enact legislation guaranteeing fair allocations to all MPs without political discrimination.
Gobind, who is also Damansara MP, said the law could remove political discretion in the allocation of funds, ensure transparency and protect the rights of voters nationwide.
He said the proposal was in line with Pakatan Harapan's election pledge to ensure fair development allocations for all MPs.
Syahredzan, who is also DAP national deputy chairman, said allocations should not be equal in amount because constituencies differed in size and voter numbers.
He cited Bangi, which has more than 300,000 voters and about 700,000 residents, compared with other constituencies with only half or a third as many voters.
He said giving Bangi the same allocation as other constituencies would also be unfair because, based on a rough calculation, its voters would receive a lower allocation than those in other areas.
He asked the government to enact legislation guaranteeing allocations to all MPs, with the amounts determined using a proportional formula to ensure fairness.
Syahredzan also called on the government not to reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying more than 900,000 businesses would need to register and collect the tax.
This was far higher than the about 132,000 businesses currently registered under the Sales and Services Tax (SST), he said.
He said GST would burden small businesses with the administration of tax refund claims and directly tax consumers.
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