Govt must explain threefold increase in EC’s 2026 allocation

The RM292 million allocated to the Election Commission for 2026 has come under scrutiny by a government backbencher.

KUALA LUMPUR: An MP has questioned the government over the threefold increase in expenditure allocated to the Election Commission (EC) under the 2026 budget.

Cha Kee Chin (PH–Rasah) noted that RM292 million has been set aside for the EC next year, which comes to just over three times the RM96 million allocated for this year.

The DAP MP said while the Sabah state election is taking place this Nov 29, only Melaka is expected to have its state polls next year.

“It just doesn’t make sense when you consider Melaka’s smaller logistical and administrative needs.

“I would like the government to explain this,” Cha said while debating the 2026 supply bill (budget) at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mitra needs higher allocation

On a separate matter, Cha also questioned the RM100 million allocation for the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) in the 2026 budget, describing it as inadequate to support the Indian community.

He said this was despite widespread recognition that the community continues to face socioeconomic challenges.

“We admit that the Indian community is struggling and that the government must uplift them socioeconomically. But how can we achieve that with only RM100 million?

“At least RM200 million or RM300 million should be allocated,” he said.

Cha is not the only MP to have raised the issue. Batu MP P Prabakaran and Klang MP V Ganabatirau had also questioned the unchanged allocation for Mitra since last year.

Prabakaran, the Mitra chairman, previously told the Dewan Rakyat that Mitra’s budget had remained largely unchanged for years.

He urged the government to increase funding to support projects that could bring meaningful transformation to the Indian community.