MB has right to cut off state funds to reps, says Khir

PETALING JAYA: The state’s mentris besar have the right to bar elected representatives from access to state financial allocations, says former Selangor mentri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

“It is the prerogative of the mentri besar to stop the funds from being channelled to the state assemblymen.

“There is no basis for him to even give a reason for that because it is his prerogative,” said the former Sungai Panjang assemblyman from Umno and two-term mentri besar from 2000-2008.

A senior state official said the Selangor government has the right to deny any assemblymen access to the funds if it has valid reasons to believe funds have been misused.

“Unused money will be returned to the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali took a swipe at Selangor PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi for wanting to seek the attention of the Sultan of Selangor.

“Any assemblyman who has problems with his state allocations can always meet me or the district officers, who oversee the finances directly.

“Don’t drag the palace into a state development issue. It is childish,” he said after presenting aid to mothers at the opening of the Kasih Ibu Smart Selangor (KISS) scheme in Kuala Selangor yesterday.

Sallehen, the Sabak state assemblyman, was reported to have said that PAS assemblymen will take up the matter with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah as a last resort.

Constitutional lawyer Syahredzan Johan said it’s the state’s prerogative to grant or deny such allocations.

“This right is not stated under a particular law. It’s just a practice,” he added.

On Sunday, Penang DAP vice-chairman and Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari said the state government has barred Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu from using state funds of RM200,000 for his constituency because it has lost confidence in him.