KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Disappointed that his constituency received insufficient allocations as they were distributed to other areas, an opposition lawmaker today tabled a motion to deduct RM10 from the salary of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

The motion received mixed reaction from MPs from both sides of the political divide who got into a heated debate for about half an hour in the Dewan Rakyat here.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching), who tabled the motion, was dissatisfied with the distribution of the prime minister's special allocation for Bandar Kuching, claiming that only six of the 50 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) listed as recipients were from his constituency.

"Based on the 2008 list, Bandar Kuching NGOs should be getting RM610,000 from the total allocation of RM1.5 million received this year.

"But contrary to the minister's reply that 50 NGOs received the allocation, only six are from Bandar Kuching; the rest of the money going to others, including the mosque and surau committees of N6, Tupong which received RM30,000 and the N8 Satok mosque and surau committees, RM10,000."

Chong said that among the Bandar Kuching NGOs which received the allocation were MAKSAK SARAWAK (RM50,000), The Carnation Club of Kuching and Samarahan (RM60,000), Yayasan Kemajuan Insan Malaysia Sarawak (67,400) and Harakah Islamiah Sarawak (HIKMAH) (RM60,000).

Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading), who was against the motion, regarded the motion as ill-intentioned and wasting time.

"This is just an attempt by the opposition to gain political mileage which is not benefiting the people. No matter where, what is more important is that the people benefit from the allocations given," he said.

Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) who also rejectd the motion, chided Chong for trying to deny other areas the allocation while Kuching enjoyed a lot of development from government allocations.

"Bandar Kuching is not lacking in anything. This motion is irrelevant and ridiculous. I also want his (Chong) salary to be cut, see who gets more votes."

Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) said: "It's not that the government does not give such allocations, but there are shortcomings in the distribution procedure.

"I hope the government will acknowledge the shortcomings and take the matter seriously."

Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) said the issue should not arise as the prime minister's special allocation was given out based on projects listed by the MPS to be implemented in their constituencies.

"Perhaps there are MPs who did not submit the list of projects, so they don't get the allocations."

Taking the middle path, he also asked Barisan Nasional MPs to be clear and accurate when giving their answers to avoid any misunderstanding, and the opposition members not to exploit the issue.

In winding up the debate, Nor Mohamed said the distibution of the special allocation was at the discretion of the prime minister, while at the state level the power to evaluate and consider the applications based on the importance of the projects had been delegated to the state development officer.

"Hence, there should be no issue of misuse of power on the part of the state development officer in approving allocations for NGOs based on the existing rules and procedures," he said.

The House then rejected the motion.