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The Star - March 31, 2008
‘Help reps finance their service
centres’
PETALING JAYA: A separate allocation should be provided
to elected representatives to enable them to finance
their service centres.
They should not have to use their allowances to maintain
such centres, said Transparency-International Malaysia
president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.
He said it was unfair that salaries paid to the Members
of Parliament should be shared with the respective
political parties and to finance service centres.
“It is necessary for MPs, especially full-time
politicians, to be given a more decent net income as
this will help reduce money politics and corruption.
“They have to live in dignity and self-confidence, and
it is not right to penalise them for serving God, the
King and the country,” he added.
Navaratnam was commenting on the “On The Beat” column
titled Our elected reps deserve better yesterday.
Among others it was stated in the article that it costs
money to maintain a decent service centre and their
allowances and claims as MPs, which averaged about
RM13,000, was insufficient. A state assemblyman gets
over RM5,000.
It was also mentioned that if they were not given more
allowances, the Government should pay the salaries of
their workers or research assistants.
Navaratnam added that money politics was the “Mother of
Corruption” and, therefore, if the elected
representatives were given a better deal it would
enhance transparency and integrity.
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