Pakatan says it will raise the allowances for native leaders as a measure of respect for their contributions.
KUCHING: Native leaders stand to enjoy a raise in their monthly allowances if Pakatan Rakyat forms Sarawak’s new state government.
In a statement today PKR Sarawak chief, Baru Bian, explained that apart from acting as leaders and spokespersons for their communities, the Tuai Rumahs are also the legal representatives of the state in their respective communes.
“But their contributions have been undervalued and unappreciated by for BN state government for far too long,” he said.
“Their monthly allowances are pathetic and fall below the official poverty line income measure for Sarawak.”
Under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the poverty line is drawn at no less than RM912 a month. According to Baru, Tuai Rumahs currently receive RM450, Penghulus RM600, Pemanchas RM800 and Temenggong RM1,200.
“So if there is continued poverty in Sarawak, the BN state government is knowingly contributing towards its persistence,” he stated.
The Ba’Kelalan candidate pledged to progressively raise the allowances to a cap of RM1,350 for Tuai Rumahs, RM1,500 for Penghulus, RM1,700 for Pemanchas and RM2,00 for Temenggongs.
Baru added that the allowances would be indexed to annual inflation and that leaders would also receive a gratuity upon retirement indexed to their years of service. There would also be annual salary reviews.
“We in Pakatan pledge this if we form the next Sarawak state government as we realise the difficult yet extremely valuable role all local community leaders play,” he concluded. Baru is Pakatan’s choice for the chief minister’s post if they win the state polls on Saturday.
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