The revelation that Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon would be reaping about RM27,000 in salary arrears has drawn flak from Penangites.

Several quarters argue that the pay hike of ten percent, which will also be enjoyed by councillors, state assembly representatives, speaker and his deputy, effective Jan 1, 2004, was "unjustifiable".

Save Ourselves (SOS) Penang coordinator Ong Boon Keong (right) said the increase in monthly salary for government representatives was unjustifiable because of their work performance.

He said the chief minister and his team were responsible for the decline of foreign direct investment to Penang, dwindling foreign tourists, the decimation of George Town, the continued abandonment of numerous housing projects which affect tens of thousands of house buyers and dire state of public transport.

"I suggest they take a RM100 cut for each of the failures above - also to show that they stand together with the people who suffer from inflation for so many years," said Ong.

"It is totally inappropriate that when Penangites are suffering from cuts in their income through inflation, the politicians who fail to defend let alone improve our income get a pay rise," he added.

Inflation

With the hike, the CM will now receive a salary and special allowances of RM7,438.29 while state executive councillors and the state assembly speaker would receive RM6,109.29.

Arrears of about RM11,000 will be paid out to the ten state executive councillors, including Deputy Chief Minister Abdul Rashid Abdullah.

State legislative assembly speaker and the deputy speaker will now receive monthly allowances of RM4,112.79 and RM1,996.50 respectivly.

Koh said the total arrears of RM465,000 would be paid out after January next year.

Meanwhile, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) Penang coordinator Choo Chon Kai condemned the pay rise as "unfair" in view of the many workers who have been retrenched and suffering pay cuts due to the economic downturn and the less competitive business climate.

Choo questioned why government representatives were getting such a pay hike when they were merely civil servants, and should not be enjoying such a high salary structure.

"They are using public funds to pay their salary. As civil servants they should not be earning so much," he added.

Fat pay check

Former Municipal Council employee Lee Hee Gee said the pay rise for the representatives, "should not have happened".

Lee said some of the state assembly representatives were also members of Parliament who have been given a pay increase early this year.

"Isn't it a bit too much? They will be getting a really fat pay check," he said.

"The government wants to close the deficit gap but I think this pay hike will cause a strain in the coffers," added the ex-employee of a manufacturing company in Prai.