I do not think it is a good idea for PAS assemblypersons to reduce their allowance by 30%. The salaries of Members of Parliament, assemblypersons, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers in Malaysia are already very low by international standards.

A young Assistant Professor teaching Finance at a top university in Singapore is already paid much more than the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Chief Ministers and other top leaders are burdened with so much work and responsibilities.

The key is to increase their pay to get more capable and honest people to join the government and go for top elected posts. The Malaysian government can hardly attract top talent from foreign countries to work in government positions in Malaysia owing to the poor salaries as compared to those in foreign countries.

Salaries should not be cut but be increased. The citizens of Malaysia, I believe, would not mind that the PM be paid RM800,000 to RM1 million or more a year so that he has more motivation to do his job well. The Chief Minister or menteri besar should get at least RM500,000 a year in monetary compensation.

The temptations and power that come with high office are enormous. The higher salaries paid to competent leaders are justifiable, considering the costly possibilities and wastage the country may have to bear with dishonest and not-so-competent people in key positions.

An objective pay review should be conducted for the top positions like Prime Minister, Ministers, and Chief Ministers when the current political climate is stabilised.

The review should be conducted by an independent body and its recommendations should be followed. As I see it, the salaries of our top leaders are really low, compared to the compensation for those in Singapore and Hong Kong. Good talents should not come cheap.

I urge the new ruling state governments to take it easy and not be to focused on cutting their salaries which are already very low. Rather, they should focus on doing a good job for the people of Malaysia, develop their states, practice good governance and set good examples for others to follow through exemplary behavior.