Media Statement by Lau Weng San in Petaling Jaya on Monday, 1^st March 2010:

Increase allowances and allocation for reps instead of AP for ADUNs

I confirmed receipt a letter issued by the Selangor State Assembly Secretary Mohamad Yasid Bidin dated 23rd February 2010 which carried a forwarded letter from the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry dated 10th February 2010 which specified that the Prime Minister Najib had on 25th October 2009 decided to issued one AP to the exsting batch of State Assemblymen (ADUNs)

It seems like the AP system under BN is not administered with consistency. Though I am given an AP (once in a lifetime), I believe that I will not be using it in near future, as imported cars are highly unaffordable for fulltime PR ADUNs in terms of pricing, fuel consumption, maintenance charges, road tax etc.

Still, I believe that the Federal Government should commit to review the viability of AP system thoroughly. If the Federal Government wants to improve the benefits of elected representatives (ADUNs included), then it is much better if they can help to increase our allowances or constituency allocations.

Though allowances for ADUNs are approved and paid by State Assembly, the Federal Government under BN can still improve ADUNs benefit or constituency allocation by allocating similar amount to the State Government. The State Government can then issue the payments either directly to the ADUNs or into their constituency allocation accounts, whichever way is very much welcomed.

Moreover, elected representatives are already entitled to buy one duty free vehicle under a circular from the Ministry of Finance and it is unnecessary to issue AP to them to buy another imported vehicle.

We should understand that all benefits provided by the government to elected representatives are meant assist them in discharging their duties. Ever since the government is already providing duty-free benefit to elected reps to buy vehicle (such as four-wheel drive vehicles which will be of great helps when elected reps have to drive through bumpy roads in rural areas when visiting their constituency), then why do they need AP anymore?

Selangor PR ADUNs will meet to discuss on how to handle the APs given to us and we assure all that the benefit will not be abused and will be managed transparently.

* Lau Weng San, Selangor DAP Secretary & ADUN for Kampung Tunku