GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government will continue giving the RM60,000 annual allocation to Opposition elected representatives under its Budget 2024, which is expected to be tabled in the middle of this month, says Chow Kon Yeow.
The Chief Minister also said that government elected representatives will receive RM500,000 per year.
“We will continue giving allocations to Opposition assemblymen as what we have done before,” he told a media conference here Tuesday (Nov 7).
He said this when asked whether the state government planned to increase the amount allocated to Opposition elected representatives through the Budget 2024.
Meanwhile, asked if the state government would follow the suggestion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who asked Opposition elected representatives at the Federal level to discuss with the government for additional allocations, Chow said the state government had no such plans and that was all it could afford.
Anwar was previously reported to have reminded Opposition MPs to negotiate with the government if they wanted to receive parliamentary allocations.
Meanwhile, in another development, Chow reiterated that the suit he filed against Penang Chinese Chambers of Commerce (PCCC) honorary life president Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping was a case between two individuals.
He said there was no reason why the suit should influence or affect the state government’s relationship and cooperation with the PCCC.
“In several weeks (we will send the suit), because it involves the translation of what was reported in Chinese newspapers and the court process is in Bahasa Malaysia.
“So, the lawyers and their assistants need time to translate what was reported and that will take a little time,” he said.
On Oct 19, Chow was reported to be taking legal action against Tan for his allegedly defamatory remarks.
Chow was reported to have said that the decision was made after the state executive council meeting unanimously decided that action be taken against Tan. – BK