State Opposition reps to receive RM50k each for expenses

.

OPPOSITION assemblymen in Selangor will receive RM50,000 each by Dec 31 to set up their service centres and related facilities.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (pic) said a meeting would also be held soon with Opposition representatives to discuss further allowance.

“The meeting is to discuss the amount and methods by which the monies will be channelled,” he told the House in reply to Mohd Rafiq Mohd Abdullah (PN-Kuang,) who asked about the monthly and annual allocations for Opposition assemblymen.

In Selangor, Amirudin said the amount of allocation disbursed annually was according to the number of residents in the respective constituencies.

The funds are RM750,000 (for less than 40,000 residents), RM800,000 (40,000 to 50,000) and RM850,000 (55,000 to 70,000).

For constituencies with a high population, the amounts are RM900,000 (70,000 to 90,000 residents) and RM950,000 (more than 90,000 residents).

Amirudin also reminded the assemblymen to cap their spending at 70% to ensure there would be sufficient balance in their account.

“We don’t want what happened in past years to recur, where the allocation was used up during election time,” he added.

On an unrelated matter, Amirudin said 24 calls were received by Talian Selamat from January to September this year.

Of this figure, he said 18 were related to domestic violence cases.

He spoke on behalf of state public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, in response to Lim Yi Wei (PH-Kampung Tunku).

Lim had asked about the number of calls received by Talian Selamat and the allocation made for the hotline this year.

Amirudin said some RM48,000 was allocated and it was managed by Mentri Besar Incorporated subsidiary, Wanita Berdaya Selangor.

Lim, in a supplementary question, asked about the portions of allocation for operation and promotional activities.

To this, Amirudin said the cost for promotional campaigns was capped at 20% while the rest was for operations.

“Various media interviews have also been conducted to promote it, in addition to joint awareness programmes with the police,” he added.

Launched on June 9, 2021, Talian Selamat is a 24-hour hotline meant for Selangor folk who need help with mental health issues.

Assistance is available by calling 03-6419 5027.

The Selangor state assembly sitting has adjourned sine die.