Selangor speaker Ng Suee Lim feels that the RM1,000monthly allowance given to Johor opposition leader Hasni Mohammad by the state government is "too litte.”
In an interview with Malaysiakini, the four-term DAP state assemblyperson said that the role of the state opposition leader is not being recognised.
"I am of the view that the amount should be increased. It is too little. For me, RM1,000 is merely a 'token' rather than recognition, this is too minimal.
"I am appealing to Johor to be serious (in recognising the role of the opposition leader).
"We must be sincere in the democratic practice of the State Legislative Assembly and reforming the House, which includes treating the opposition sincerely by providing them with equitable wage," he said.
According to Ng, the recognition given by the state government to the opposition leader should be equivalent to his or her workload.
"If we give appropriate allowance and recognition, then they have no reason to not perform. They should play a proactive role and show the rakyat that they are firm in their role.”
Last week, Hasni lamented that Johor Harapan government was not serious about recognising the opposition, as it has no intention to appoint the opposition leader to head the state's public accounts committee (PAC).
Besides the RM1,000 monthly allowance, the opposition leader also receives an office, but without any staff.
Equal treatment
As Ng explained, Selangor was the first state to amend its laws to make it compulsory for the opposition to be recognised and be provided with equitable treatment.
Though noting that his predecessors Teng Chang Khim and Hannah Yeoh had done commendable jobs in reforming the state's legislative branch, he stated that he is considering increasing the allowance of the state opposition leader to the level of an exco.
"We are giving the opposition leader RM3,000 a month, but I think this is insufficient.
"I may request (my officers) to conduct more research. I want to see, in the coming year, how the opposition performs. If it suffices, then I will propose an increase in his allowance," he said.
"We may consider increasing it to the level of a state exco member," he said, citing opposition leaders being paid the same as cabinet secretaries in the United Kingdom.
It was reported in 2014 that Selangor excos are paid RM15,000 per month.
Besides a RM3,000 allowance, the state opposition leader also entitled other facilities, such an office, a working secretary, an official car and a driver.
"We want our opposition leader to be comfortable to carry out his duty, so he can perform a check and balance on the government and give constructive views.
“A government that willing to listen is a government that can help the people," he stressed.
Progressive assemblies
BN Sungai Air Tawar state assemblyperson Rizam Ismail (photo) will be sworn in as Selangor opposition leader in September.
The new speakers in the seven states held by Pakatan Harapan have paid visits to each other to share views on the administration of their respective legislative branches.
In one of these visits, Ng recounted, a speaker jokingly asked Selangor not to be too progressive by providing lucrative allowances to the opposition – as states with smaller revenues would have trouble keeping up.
"The speaker said, please lah, don't simply give too much lah, because some states cannot afford it.”
According to Ng, he said in response that these states can provide allowances according to their financial ability.
"Selangor is setting a benchmark, if we think we can afford it, then we will progress with the plans," he added. -Mkini
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