PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today confirmed that the development allowance for members of parliament has been reduced to RM1.3 million from RM3.8 million.

Anwar said the move is meant to better control the country’s finances and will be implemented in stages.

“This allowance is the development allocations for MPs, coordinated by the district and land office, and state development officer, (being reduced) due to economic constraints,” he told reporters at Warung Pak Salleh in Port Dickson today.

“It will be done in stages. This will set an early example, meaning MPs don’t mind the cut, although they are not personal contributions but are development allocations.”

However, the government will consider extending additional allocations if there are pressing needs in a particular parliamentary constituency, such as for repair of infrastructure, he said.

Media reports have said the constituency allocations for government backbenchers this year have been slashed by more than 65%, from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million.

According to the reports, the amount consists of a RM1 million outright grant and RM300,000 for service centre operations.

Earlier, the prime minister mingled with the people and ate rojak and Chinese fried rice. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun. – Bernama, February 3, 2023.