Deputy Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Wong Kam Hoong took the brunt of a DAP attack in the Dewan Rakyat over disbursement of funds for the 50th Merdeka celebrations in all parliamentary constituencies.

Tan Kok Wai (DAP-Cheras) questioned why opposition MPs had not been invited to a function last Wednesday where the allocation of RM30,000 per constituency had been handed over to Barisan Nasional representatives.

"Isn't it true that Merdeka Day celebrations are for all citizens regardless of their race, religion and where they live? Should it matter whether they live in an area that is represented by the BN or the opposition?" he asked during the Question session.

"Is it true that an allocation of RM30,000 is available to all parliamentary constituencies and the money is to be channelled through the MPs?"

"If so, opposition MPs and the Independent candidate (Chong Hon Min, Sandakan) were not invited to attend the cheque presentation ceremony in a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur a few days ago," Tan pointed out.

"Not only haven't we received the funds, but we were not invited to the function or even informed about it. (Those living in opposition-held constituencies) are not just citizens but are also taxpayers."

Accusing the BN of political discrimination, he went on to describe this as corrupt practice and abuse of management of public funds.

'Money disbursed'

Wong, in responding, said the cabinet has allocated RM3 million this year to mark the Independence day celebrations and that the money has been disbursed.

"We did not leave out any constituency. For those under the opposition, we channelled the money through the Cultural and Arts department for the areas," he explained.

Wong also accused opposition parliamentarians of only being interested in the money.

"That's how they (opposition MPs) are. This is the first time I'm hearing that they are interested in a BN invitation to a function. This is because money is involved," he said.

"If they are really interested in Merdeka celebrations, they can contact the Cultural and Arts department to provide ideas or feedback, but they are more into the money."

This brought Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) and M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) to their feet, shouting "Discrimination!"

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) accused the government of practising a divide-and-rule policy.

The Star reported on June 22 that each of the 219 MPs - including opposition members - received the allocation.

It quoted Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim as saying this in his speech during the cheque presentation ceremony.

The money is meant to organise gotong-royong events, processions, performances and campaigns to fly the national flag from July to August.