http://dapmalaysia.org   

Ipoh receiving the least allocation in 2002 from Finance Ministry’s special allocation to stimulate the economy Media Statement by Ngeh Koo Ham (Ipoh, Wednesday): The 2 Members of Parliament for Ipoh, YB Thong Fah Chong (Ipoh Timur) and YB Dato’ Ho Cheong Sing (Ipoh Barat) must explain to the people of Ipoh why both the Ipoh Timur and Ipoh Barat Parliamentary Constituencies with the highest population concentration in Perak received the least allocation for development from Finance Ministry’s special allocation to boost the economy last year.  The allocations granted to each of the 23 Parliamentary Constituencies in Perak are as follows:-     No.   Parliamentary Constituency     No. of Public Projects   Cost (RM)   Gerik 128 4,094,000.00   Parit Buntar 66 4,428,000.00   Bagan Serai 103 4,722,120.00   Bukit Gantang 160 4,899,000.00   Chenderoh 175 4,543,300.00   Kuala Kangsar 203 4,366,400.00   Beruas 112 4,505,100.00   Parit 106 4,510,000.00   Tapah 108 3,418,000.00   Pasir Salak 138 4,845,969.00   Lumut 137 4,441,000.00     No.   Parliamentary Constituency     No. of Public Projects   Cost (RM)   Tanjung Malim 100 4,596,000.00   Larut 161 4,672,700.00   Bagan Datoh 110 4,341,100.00   Teluk Intan 102 4,005,790.00   Ipoh Barat 37 2,582,000.00   Tambun 111 4,600,000.00   Ipoh Timur 119 2,651,000.00   Gopeng 129 4,435,000.00   Batu Gajah 86 4,527,800.00   Kampar 170 4,353,000.00   Taiping 154 4,493,000.00   Sungai Siput 219 4,550,500.00   Total 2,984 98,580,779.00   Ipoh Timur received only RM2,651,000.00 and Ipoh Barat received only RM2,582,000.00 while all other Parliamentary Constituencies (except for Tapah which received RM3,418,000.00) including the DAP Constituency of Batu Gajah received allocation of more than RM4,000,000.00 each.  It is an affront (insult) to the dignity and pride of the Ipoh people that they should receive the least allocation when Ipoh is a city and the capital of the State of Perak.  Moreover, Ipoh being the most densely populated area in Perak should receive the most allocation.  The people of Perak must realize that development funds are taxes collected from the people and each and every individual citizen whether they are sympathetic to the ruling party or the opposition are similarly entitled to it.  The abovesaid figures refute MCA’s claim that only in their constituencies will there be development.  The DAP held Batu Gajah Constituency has received far more allocation that those held by MCA in Ipoh Timur and Ipoh Barat.   The 2 Members of Parliament of Ipoh must apologize to the people Ipoh for misleading them into believing that they have brought much development funds to Ipoh by appearing in the press every time a little grant is given.  This has all the time been MCA’s strategy to mislead the people.  Development in opposition areas had been carried out quietly and the opposition did note claim credit for such development projects because they were built with the taxpayers’ money and the people are entitled to them.  What is more important is to ensure that the taxpayers’ money are spent on the people and the projects carried out are worth the amount paid for.  In this regard the people need a strong opposition to ensure that this will be the case.  The Perak DAP also calls on the 2 Members of Parliament and the 5 Assemblymen for Ipoh to declare how much each project costs whenever they try to take credit for a development carried out so that the people will know if the project is worth the money paid for or had these been corrupt practices in the award of the projects.  (11/3/2003) *  Ngeh Koo Ham, DAP Perak Chairman