The Malacca government has been taken to task for allocating RM200,000 a year for state assembly representatives and executive council members to organise 'open house' during major festivals.

In a statement, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng pointed out that the cost of refreshments served during such occasions is met through such allocations.

"Each Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblyperson and councillor gets RM5,000 and RM13,000 respectively to celebrate Hari Raya every year. Isn't this abuse of power (if they spend) the people's money?" he asked.

Lim said this practice amounts to financial mismanagement because taxpayers' money is being used in promoting BN for political benefit.

"That is why BN easily manages to get votes. (All it needs to do) is give out free food and drinks, using the people's money," he said, also questioning how this fits in with the government's pledge to 'protect the people' and to run a corruption-free administration.

Lim said he would not object to the money being used to meet the needs of those who are under-privileged.

The state government had earlier been accused of lavish spending for leisure activities such as 'study tours'.