The Selangor state assembly is mulling paying backdated salary, as far back as ten years, which was withheld from several state assemblypersons due to suspension.

The House's rights and privileges committee chairperson Hannah Yeoh said that this is being considered after a Federal Court decision, which ruled that Puchong MP Gobind Deo Singh was still entitled to his salary despite being suspended from Parliament for a year in 2009.

"In this case, the executive is already prepared to respect the court’s decision but it’s a legislative decision.

"Therefore the state menteri besar said he will get the legislature to study the matter,” she told a press conference at the state assembly lobby today.

If approved, seven state assemblypersons are expected to benefit, of whom six are from Umno, including the former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo, who was suspended for a year in 2009.

The other Umno representatives are Mohd Isa Abu Kassim (Batang Kali), Satim Diman (Seri Serdang), Warna Dogol (Sabak), Marsum Paing (Dengkil), Mohamad Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam), all of whom were suspended for six months in 2009.

The last state assemblyperson who stand to benefit is DAP’s Teng Chang Khim (Sungai Pinang), who in 2005 was suspended for 18 months while in the opposition.

Hannah, who is House speaker, said the rights and privileges committee will study the matter and present its decision to the state assembly in March next year.

Parliament should emulate Selangor

Meanwhile, Gobind hailed the mooted move to pay back salaries to suspended elected representatives as a "step in the right direction".

Gobind said many politicians are full time politicians and their families depend on the salaries.

"Elected representatives must carry on with their duties despite their suspensions.

"So work goes on for them outside the House and in particular in their respective constituencies.

"It is wrong therefore to deprive them of their salary," he said in a statement today.

He also urged Parliament to emulate Selangor on the matter.

On a separate matter, Hannah who is also the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) chairperson, said the committee will discuss next week whether to initiate a hearing into the alleged payment of up to RM2 million to staff members of former Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

“The committee cannot meet while the House sitting is in session so Selcat will only meet after the sitting,” she said.

She added that the committee will only make its decision then.