Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that he is the “lowest paid” chief minister in the country, when explaining the rationale behind the 100 percent pay hike for state executive councillors.

Lim said there was no increase in salary for the chief minister’s post as there was also no pay hike for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“But the main reason for the pay hike (for exco members ) is that we are doing it in line with Selangor (in 2013), and other developed states like Sarawak,” Lim told reporters when met at the State Legislative Assembly today.

He said he was willing to face criticism on the state’s decision to review the salaries of its representatives.

“We are aware that the timing is not so good, but we have to do it due to the rising cost of living,” he added.

Lim's basic salary as chief minister is RM14,000 a month, but he will enjoy a pay hike as Air Putih assemblyman, from RM6,000 to RM11,250.

The state is expected to approve an 87 percent increase on the current salaries for state assemblypersons.

If amendments to the Members of the Administration and the Legislative Assembly (Renumeration) Enactment, 1980 is passed this Friday, state exco members will enjoy a 100 percent basic salary increase, from RM6,109.29 to RM12,109.29.

The salary increase will be effective from Jan 1, next year. The last salary increment for the 40 Penang assembly representatives was in 2013.

Meanwhile, the allowance of state opposition leader Jahara Hamid ( photo ) will be also be increased, by 50 percent, from RM2,000 to RM3,000.

House speaker Law Choo Kiang’s basic pay will be reviewed from RM6,109.29 to RM12,109.29.

When asked, BN representatives did not reject the salary hike.

Jahara, who is also Teluk Ayer Tawar assemblyperson, said the state government probably wanted to raise the salaries to be at par with those in the other states.

Umno Teluk Bahang assemblyperson Shah Headan Ayoob Shah said "as long as they (state government) can justify the pay hike, it is okay".