The Malaysian Insight

FRESH after calls for him to vacate his parliamentary seat, PKR’s Batu MP P. Prabakaran is facing fresh controversy as questions are now being raised on how he had spent the allocation given to his constituency.

Prabakaran has spent the lion’s share of the RM1.5 million allocated but the grassroots are questioning how he had dished out the funds.

A PKR grassroots member told The Malaysian Insight the Batu chapter has reservations about the way the money was disbursed.

“In just a few months, he has spent almost all the money and from what we know, there is just some RM20,000 left. For three months, he was working with us (PKR) but then he went solo.

“We were told that he gave money to mosques and schools but is that true? Is there proof?” said the PKR member who wanted to remain anonymous.

The Malaysian Insight is currently awaiting comments from Prabakaran.

A source from Prabakaran’s office confirmed the figure but claimed the money was spent on the development of Batu.

“Some 39 schools received funding as much as RM10,000 to RM13,000 each. This does not include money given to the poor in the area and some development work for the constituency,” the source, who declined to be named, told The Malaysian Insight.

The source added that the funds were given to the MP by the federal government in February with the condition it must be used by September.

“It will be audited. It has all been accounted for,” he said, dismissing any possibility of abuse of funds.

Checks on Facebook showed Prabakaran actively distributing the funds for his constituency.

PKR strategy director Fahmi Fadzil said Prabakaran is a committed lawmaker.

“He is young but he is committed and knows the problem in his area. He gets his hands dirty. He knows the problems faced by the people,” said the Lembah Pantai MP.

On November 6, the high court ruled that former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, is eligible to contest in elections and since then, many have urged Prabakaran to vacate the seat for his predecessor who held the seat for two terms.

Justice Mariana Yahya, in her judgment, agreed with the decisions made by the Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam high courts that the applicant (Chua)’s eligibility and right to contest were not affected by a fine of RM2,000 imposed on him.

According to Mariana, an MP will only lose the right and eligibility to contest if the fine is RM2,001 and above.

Fourteen groups in Batu have urged Prabakaran to quit following the court verdict.

Prabakaran, meanwhile, has vowed to continue serving his constituents despite calls for him to quit.

“I take the calls from these groups in a positive manner, as they only want the best for PKR,” he said.

He denied facing pressure from Chua, who is also PKR vice-president, to step down.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said there is no need for Prabakaran to relinquish his seat and make way for Chua, but was quick to add that the issue was yet to be discussed by the party leadership.

“Prabakaran has a mandate from the people and we will have to respect that, while Tian Chua is an important party leader.

“This matter can be discussed within party channels, but it has not been raised yet,” Anwar said.

Anwar spoke to reporters hours after Prabakaran’s car was pelted with eggs by unknown individuals. Police are investigating the incident. – November 19, 2019.