Selangor pay hike riles up Umno-BN: But even after rise, salaries NOWHERE near Najib-Rosmah's profligacy

SHAH ALAM - THE Selangor state assembly yesterday approved an all-round salary and allowance increase for the Pakatan menteri besar, executive councillors, the speaker, his deputy and assemblymen, the majority of whom are from DAP, PKR and Pas.

The move, which will make the Selangor reps among the highest paid politicians in the country, could come under fire from various quarters as ordinary people struggle to cope with the rising cost of living.

All of them will get fatter paychecks starting Jan 1, with the deputy speaker receiving the largest increase of 373 per cent.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim justified the pay rise by citing the workload of the elected representatives, noting that the last salary increment for assemblymen was in 2005.

"The increase was decided upon following the insistence and demands of the assemblymen. The amendments to the remuneration were implemented based on these concerns," he said during the state assembly sitting yesterday.

The move has drawn heavy criticism from Selangor residents, who urged the state government to provide an explanation behind the decision.

A 79-year-old pensioner from Section 17, Petaling Jaya, who wanted to be known only as Hassan, said the state government should take into consideration the increase in the cost of living of the people before making such a decision.

He said the pressure was on Selangor's representatives to perform better than those from other states.

"With such a high increment, the state government must give sufficient explanation as to why it is so. They should compare such a move with the salary scale of reps in other states.

"If they are setting a new standard for pay and allowances of the wakil rakyat, they must justify it."

Hassan said some areas in Selangor, including Petaling Jaya, still left much to be desired, and people would question the need for such an hefty increase in the salary and allowances for elected representatives.

"It would be better if the state channelled the funds to programmes that benefited the people and help them cope with the rising cost of living."

Kajang resident Shahrom Mohd Harun, 67, said the hike would not benefit the people unless it was accompanied by a guarantee of better services for the people.

"People will expect them to perform a better job from now on. Selangor reps need to pull their socks up.

"They must compare themselves with other states and see whether they can perform just as well or better," said Shahrom.

Responses in social media to the salary increase was mixed, with some saying that the quantum of increase was too excessive while others noted that the rate was justified as the state government could afford it.

The Selangor state assembly tabled and unanimously passed amendments to the Administrative Staff and Elected Representatives Enactment (Remuneration) 1980, which will range from 87 per cent to 373 per cent more than the current quantum.

Deputy Speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad will enjoy the highest increment, up 373 per cent with his allowance rising from RM3,327.50 to RM15,750 per month.

Speaker Hannah Yeoh will see a 268.3 per cent allowance increase from RM6,109.29 to RM22,500.

Exco members will earn RM20,250 a month, up by 231 per cent from RM6,109.29.

The menteri besar's salary moves up 106.4 per cent from RM14,175 to RM29,250.

The new salary for assemblymen will be RM11,250, or an 87.5 per cent increase from RM6,000.

Khalid also announced that 15,643 state government employees will receive a half month bonus in January.

This was because of the staff's efficiency in collecting RM1.89 billion in revenue up to yesterday, 16 per cent more than the original RM1.63 billion estimate, he said.

"Congratulations and thank you to all employees who have worked hard for the state.

"This means that this year, the state's employees received a 11/2-month bonus and an earlier one-month Hari Raya bonus payout," he said, adding the state's employees would gradually accept the concept of pay hikes and bonus payouts based on performance and efficiency, in line with international standards and practices.

Selangor opposition leader Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias supported the increase in salary and allowances, saying it was timely, especially since the Federal Government had recently adjusted parliamentarians' salary and allowances as well.

"This will intensify our services to our constituents. The pay rise is in line with the increasing cost of living."

Regarding the half-month bonus, he said government employees deserved it as an increase in productivity could be seen. - NST