Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim says an increment is necessary but way too high.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said today that the new salaries for Selangor state government officials is too high.
Yesterday, it was reported that Selangor Menteri Besar, elected representatives, executive council members, Speaker and deputy Speaker will receive massive pay hikes effective Jan 1, 2014.
The amendments to existing laws were made and passed at the Selangor legislative assembly yesterday, allowing the salary hike.
“I agree with the increase in wages for Parliamentarians, but I have told the MB (Khalid Ibrahim) that the increase is a bit too high and he has to explain to Pakatan what is the reason for such a hefty hike,” Anwar told reporters in Parliament here. Anwar is also the Selangor economic advisor.
Anwar also acknowledged that there was a motion for salary increment in Parliament, referring to the Members of the Administration and Members of Dewan Undangan Negeri (Remuneration, Pensions and Gratuities) Bill 2013 which provides for an increase in remuneration for the state assembly speaker, deputy speaker and political secretaries.
“We agree on the policy because (wages) have not increased for so long, but we must also pay attention to services to the people,” he said.
“An increment is necessary, but it is too high,” he added.
No political pressure
Asked if the increment was due to political pressure from Selangor legislative backbenchers, Anwar said it was impossible.
“It is not because of political pressure. This (increment) happens in all the states… it has also been brought up in Parliament,” Anwar said.
However, Anwar said Khalid had a duty to give his (Khalid’s) side of the story to the press as well as reconsider the proposed hike rates.
“I repeat, it is necessary, it’s just that the increment is too high.”
Under the new Selangor salary structure, the pay of assemblymen will be upped 87% from RM6,000 to RM11,250 a month, the Speaker from RM6,109.29 to RM22,500 (268%), and the deputy Speaker from RM3,327.50 to RM15,750 (373%).
The salary of exco members will go up 231% from RM6,109.29 to RM20,250 while the Menteri Besar will have a pay rise of 106.4% from RM14,175 to RM29,250.
The Selangor state Speaker is Hannah Yeoh while her deputy is Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
MB: We followed Sarawak
Responding to criticism, Khalid said the massive pay hike was justifiable as it was based on the salaries paid to such positions in Sarawak.
Speaking to newsmen at the state legislative assembly lobby, Khalid defended the pay hike saying that the proposed salaries were much lower than that paid to these office bearers in private companies.
“To some people it could be a lot but for those who had been in the private sector, it is not high. It is justifiable. We cannot hide our income. We had agreed to reveal our salaries,” said Khalid, who is also Pelabuhan Kelang state assemblyman.
In fact, he said the pay of those in the private sector was much higher than the salaries given to ministers.
“The federal government also uses private consultants. Their income (the private consultants) is sometimes higher than the minister’s pay,” he added.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said today that the new salaries for Selangor state government officials is too high.Yesterday, it was reported that Selangor Menteri Besar, elected representatives, executive council members, Speaker and deputy Speaker will receive massive pay hikes effective Jan 1, 2014.
The amendments to existing laws were made and passed at the Selangor legislative assembly yesterday, allowing the salary hike.
“I agree with the increase in wages for Parliamentarians, but I have told the MB (Khalid Ibrahim) that the increase is a bit too high and he has to explain to Pakatan what is the reason for such a hefty hike,” Anwar told reporters in Parliament here. Anwar is also the Selangor economic advisor.
Anwar also acknowledged that there was a motion for salary increment in Parliament, referring to the Members of the Administration and Members of Dewan Undangan Negeri (Remuneration, Pensions and Gratuities) Bill 2013 which provides for an increase in remuneration for the state assembly speaker, deputy speaker and political secretaries.
“We agree on the policy because (wages) have not increased for so long, but we must also pay attention to services to the people,” he said.
“An increment is necessary, but it is too high,” he added.
No political pressure
Asked if the increment was due to political pressure from Selangor legislative backbenchers, Anwar said it was impossible.
“It is not because of political pressure. This (increment) happens in all the states… it has also been brought up in Parliament,” Anwar said.
However, Anwar said Khalid had a duty to give his (Khalid’s) side of the story to the press as well as reconsider the proposed hike rates.
“I repeat, it is necessary, it’s just that the increment is too high.”
Under the new Selangor salary structure, the pay of assemblymen will be upped 87% from RM6,000 to RM11,250 a month, the Speaker from RM6,109.29 to RM22,500 (268%), and the deputy Speaker from RM3,327.50 to RM15,750 (373%).
The salary of exco members will go up 231% from RM6,109.29 to RM20,250 while the Menteri Besar will have a pay rise of 106.4% from RM14,175 to RM29,250.
The Selangor state Speaker is Hannah Yeoh while her deputy is Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
MB: We followed Sarawak
Responding to criticism, Khalid said the massive pay hike was justifiable as it was based on the salaries paid to such positions in Sarawak.
Speaking to newsmen at the state legislative assembly lobby, Khalid defended the pay hike saying that the proposed salaries were much lower than that paid to these office bearers in private companies.
“To some people it could be a lot but for those who had been in the private sector, it is not high. It is justifiable. We cannot hide our income. We had agreed to reveal our salaries,” said Khalid, who is also Pelabuhan Kelang state assemblyman.
In fact, he said the pay of those in the private sector was much higher than the salaries given to ministers.
“The federal government also uses private consultants. Their income (the private consultants) is sometimes higher than the minister’s pay,” he added.
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