East Malaysian MPs happy with special allocation for their states

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 - East Malaysian MPs are happy with the special allocations to their states in Budget 2009 but refuse to acknowledge any political motivation behind it.

"It is a redistribution of wealth and not politically motivated. A lot of Sabah and Sarawak MPs have raised these issues in Parliament and the government has shown it is responsive. This does not mean it is addressing crossovers," Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal told reporters.

The Semporna MP said yesterday that all parliamentarians from East Malaysia would sign a pledge of loyalty to BN and send it to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today. However, several MPs refused to sign the pledge, calling it degrading to have to continuously reaffirm their loyalty.

Holding a folder with sheets containing the signatures, he initially refused to comment on matters pertaining to the pledge but relented later.

"We have many signatures already. It is a positive number," he said, refusing to commit to a figure and added that it included all the top leaders and said that some had preferred to send personal letters to Abdullah directly.

He also denied that the move had anything to do with gaining leverage in upcoming Umno party polls.

Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin was more forthright, saying that the collection of signatures was ongoing and they would have a majority of the MPs.

"Some may not want to sign but we will have more than 80%," was his estimate, adding that the pledge would only be sent to Abdullah at a later date, perhaps even after Merdeka.

"It is a great move from the government as it will increase confidence in the people of Sabah and Sarawak. I don't think it is politically motivated. It shows responsibility as it is high time the government address and raise development here," he offered on the move to allocate RM3 billion and RM3.3 billion to Sabah and Sarawak respectively on rural infrastructure.

Both Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili and Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew also denied a political motivation and instead talked up the focus on rural development.

"We feel we are a bit left behind so this will bring balanced development," said Lau while Ongkili said that there were half a dozen proposals that would cut rural poverty.

"These are the basic demands on the people. the government has shown its sincerity as these issues have been stated even in our state assemblies. In fact, my personal opinion is that it should have been an election budget for 2008," Ongkili added.