The Penang state legislative assembly is expected to pass amendments which will see a 100 percent increase in salaries for state executive councillors (state excos), while the salary of assemblypersons will almost double.

The House sits from today to Friday.

It is expected to pass amendments to the Members of the Administration and the Legislative Assembly (Renumeration) Enactment, 1980, to allow increases in salaries for state excos, assemblypersons and the state opposition leader.

The salary increases will involve all categories, including the House speaker, but does not include the chief minister.

If the amendments are passed, most likely by this Friday, the salary increases will be effective from Jan 1, next year.

The last salary increment for assemblymen was in 2013, after Pakatan Rakyat (now Pakatan Harapan) retained the state for a second term.

State opposition leader Jahara Hamid’s allowance will be increased from RM2,000 to RM3,000 (50 percent hike), while speaker Law Choo Kiang’s basic pay will be reviewed from RM6,109.29 to RM12,109.29.

Salaries of state executive councillors will see an increase from RM6,109.29 to RM12,109.29.

All the 40 state assemblypersons' salaries will almost double, from RM6,000 to RM11,250.

State exco in-charge of this matter, Jagdeep Singh Deo, when asked for his comment, replied: “We are one of the lowest paid in the country”.