BN leaders: Pay hike must be reasonable

BN national and state leaders today lambasted the Selangor government for its drastic increase in the monthly salaries for the menteri besar, exco members, assemblypersons, the speaker and her deputy, ranging from 87 percent to 373 percent.

Several leaders accused the Pakatan Raktat-led state government of hypocrisy, as the latter were often first to criticise the BN in the past for similar reasons.

Some, however, felt the increase in salaries, which is to take effect next year, were fine providing the amount is reasonable and is able to be justified in terms of state performance and finances.

Former Selangor MB Dr Mohd Khir Toyo:

"They can increase but not 100 percent, 20 percent is more reasonable.

If it is too high, it will lead to a reduction in the development budget. Look at the inflation problems and complaints about road conditions in the state first... I don't know why they are asking so much but they should get feedback from the public first... for the MB to be paid more than the prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak), it is not so nice to hear this story.

During my time, I recall we only have a one-time increase of 10-20 percent over eight years. Selangor also increased the allowances for councillors three-fold from RM500 to RM1,500 in the past. These councillors don't do a full time job, only a few days a week."

Selangor MCA chairperson Donald Lim:

"On the issue of salary hike, it is an acceptable move as government leaders pay must be in line with chief executive officers (CEO) of corporations and senior management in companies who are also drawing quite high salaries too.

"The government or state should take measures that can attract the best and better brains to join the political arena. It's important that leaders at all levels decide to do something ...this is something that the people want. When salaries rise, the chances of corruption will come down.

"To some extent people don't really complain, unless it is too drastic, then the people feel it is unfair.

"The measure of increase has to be acceptable and the quantity of increase cannot be unrealistic. But in the case of Selangor, they must consider that even the federal ministers are getting paid much less than that, so that means they are overdoing it. The government should sit down and synchronise a little bit.

Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahm an Dahlan (through tweets):

"I didn't know when (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim complained Selangor had too much reserves and need to spend more, he meant increase state assemblyperson's salary! Between the two Ibrahims, Khalid is the smarter one.

"Anwar ordered Khalid to spend Selangor's reserve, so Khalid agreed and spent on himself."

Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong:

“The huge income disparity between Sarawak and Selangor chief executives, assemblymen, state ministers or executive committee  members as compared to other states is irrational as all the state government leaders and lawmakers are doing the same job with little differences.

“A moderate and balanced increase in salaries between 30 to 50 percent would have been more prudent and acceptable.

“It is important to make sure that there is ample justification behind the salary increment to avoid misuse of public funds."

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali:

"Don't the people's representatives or leaders have to make some kind of sacrifice, even use their own assets if need be? If they are depending on the state for a big salary, then anybody ...even the deaf, the dumb and the blind also can be the people's representative.

"Selangor citizens and state servants should also now protest and demand the same salary hikes. They too have a burden to carry ... Given such big salaries, surely many will want to run for seats in Selangor at the next general election. I am disappointed with the hypocrites who put their interest above the rakyat."

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) vice-president Koh Swe Yong:

"Both BN and Pakatan are in a race to raise their representative's salaries.

"This is a major setback and disappointment from Pakatan and their cry for reformasi and change. They should avoid the mistakes of BN which neglected the trust of the rakyat placed upon them for good governance. This includes their promise to voters to fight corruption, misappropriation and waste, while raising the rakyat's standard of living.

"We doubt that the pay hike would end corruption... if that's true then what Sarawak government recently did (when it raised salaries) would be right."

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