The opposition leader in the Penang state assembly will receive a RM1,000 monthly allowance once the enactment of the amended bill to that effect is passed tomorrow.

As reported by Malaysiakini on Monday, the bill among others will give long overdue recognition to the position of state legislative assembly opposition leader.

lim guan eng pkr penang media journalist attacked by pkr security pc 050808 01 Once passed, the proposed enactment bill, to be tabled by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng when the assembly resumes its second sitting of the term tomorrow, will be cited as Members of the Administration and the Legislative Assembly (Remuneration) (Amendment) Enactment 2008

The six-day sitting will also mark the inaugural Budget 2009 to be tabled on Friday by the DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat state government, which stormed to power in the March general election.

Speaking to reporters at his office in George Town today, Lim said the enactment would come into operation on the date to be appointed by the state authority by notification of the gazette.

The bill will insert a new section (3A) to the enactment which states: If a member of the legislative assembly is appointed as leader of the opposition, he shall be entitled, in addition to the monthly allowance specified in section 3, to a monthly allowance of RM1,000. The opposition leader will also be given a backdated six-month allowance payment.

'Better late than never'

The previous state government never gave due recognition to the position.

However, like its counterpart in Perak, the current Pakatan state government believes such recognition is timely and important to inspire "more mature and progressive political development" in the state and enhance cooperation among all elected representatives.

Although it would increase its financial burden to RM12,000 per annum, the state government believes the recognition is worthwhile to promote democracy, create an effective opposition front and provide a decisive check and balance system in the state administration.

"It has been 50 years late. But its better late than never," said Lim.

Once the bill is passed, Umno, which has 11 opposition elected representatives, are expected to nominate without much qualm Penaga assemblyperson Azhar Ibrahim as the opposition leader.

When contacted, Azhar declined comment, saying that he would scrutinise the amendment bill first before issuing a statement tomorrow.

Executive councillor Phee Phoon Boh, who was the previous term opposition leader, hopes the recognition and allowance would inspire an effective, dynamic, constructive and vibrant opposition leader for the state.

In another development, Lim dismissed an allegation raised in a Chinese tabloid that the state had pledged to provide US$500,000 for the cancelled Kings of Tennis tournament, which was supposed to take place in a makeshift open court at the Esplanade from this Friday until Sunday.

"We supported it without any financial pledge for it was a private initiative," he said.

It is learnt that the tournament organiser had spent RM2.5 million to construct the makeshift court with a 5,000-seat capacity.

The event’s organising co-chairperson Arianna Teoh the expressed her disappointment over lack of support from the authorities, a charge which Lim has refuted.