How much allowance do top government officials get?

Opposition member of Parliament Kerk Kim Hock (DAP-Kota Melaka) thought it was a matter of public interest and had raised the question in the Dewan Rakyat last week.

However, he found that it was too much to ask of the Prime Ministers Department, for a written answer came yesterday, apparently from the department but unsigned, which stated that the House speaker had agreed not to reveal the information in Parliament to protect public interest.

There is a clause in the Parliamentary Standing Order which states: "A minister to whom a question is addressed may, with the approval of the speaker, refuse to answer such questions on the grounds of public interest and such refusal cannot be debated or questioned."

Kerk first raised the matter on March 28, but was not given a reply due to some delay, according to Noh Omar, who is parliamentary secretary in the Prime Ministers Department.

Today, Kerk raised an objection under the Parliamentary Standing Order that information on ministers allowance cannot be considered a secret.

He asked the speaker to explain why he had agreed not to inform the Dewan Rakyat of the allowance enjoyed by top government officials.

Kerk also said, "Whoever replied to my question (and said it was to protect public interest) has lied."

Kerk urged the speaker to refer the person who had sought his approval not to reveal the figures in Parliament, to the Committee of Privileges.

The committee is a body of MPs which is responsible for discipline in the House and punishing those who breach parliamentary privileges.

Matter resolved

Deputy speaker Mohamad Abdullah did not reply to Kerks questions, but instead requested him to drop the matter as it had been "resolved".

He asked Kerk to "co-operate and promised he would check on the matter".

The outraged MP who crushed a piece of paper in his hand in frustration at being thwarted again later told malaysiakini , "The Prime Minister's Department should at least inform Parliament. What do you mean this is against public interest? It is actually a matter of public interest to reveal the issue here."

Last year, Kerk had also revealed that ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries were paid hefty allowances, without prior consultation with Parliament.