GEORGE TOWN: DAP maverick politician Teh Yee Cheu has been barred from utilising the RM200,000 allocation for his state constituency.

The Tanjung Bungah assemblyman said he came to know about it after checking with the state Fi­­nance Office on Monday.

“I was told that it was a decision by the state government, but no reason was given,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Teh said he then sent an SMS to state DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, saying the decision was “unfair and immature”.

“Of course I am upset. I am still the serving assemblyman elected by the people. Until today, there is no reply from him,” he claimed.

Teh said he learned that the allocation would now be handled by Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari.

On Thursday, Teh said he received a copy of a letter issued by the northeast district officer to all Village Security and Development Commit­tees in his constituency to refer to Zairil from Jan 15 for allocations.

He added that over the past few years, an annual sum of RM200,000 was allocated for small projects and supply expenses.

“I used this money to help the needy such as senior citizens, the disabled, single mothers and poor students, and to assist local associations and non-governmental organisations.

“My power to support applications before sending them to the district office has also been removed,” he said.

Teh called on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to reconsider the move for the people’s benefit.

“Pakatan Harapan used to cry foul over the unfair treatment by the Federal Government towards their representatives, but now the same thing is happening to one of its backbenchers,” Teh said.

He also raised concerns that the RM6,000 monthly subsidy for his service centre was also being withheld.

Last month, he was barred from verifying applications of flood victims for the one-off RM700 aid given by the state government.