Perks become hot topic

•  At the Perak State Assembly 

SENIOR Barisan Nasional assemblyman Datuk Saarani Mohamad criticised Nga Kor Ming (PH-Aulong) for harping on the perks given to the state Opposition Leader.

Saarani (BN-Kota Tampan) said when perks are given, it should be done sincerely.

“It does not mean that if the state government gives the Opposition Leader such perks, we are expected to keep quiet,” he said after the state assembly sitting.

The Opposition Leader receives a RM3,000 allowance, a car with a driver, a room and two officers.

Nga says the previous government did not recognise the Opposition Leader’s post.

Nga, during a debate by Salbiah Mohamed (BN-Temengor), interjected and said for the past 60 years, the previous government did not recognise the post of the Opposition Leader.

Nga, who is also the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, said it was only after Pakatan Harapan came to power was the post recognised.

In an unrelated matter, mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (BN-Pangkor) criticised assembly speaker Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham for blocking his supplementary question on the Mentri Besar’s official residence.

He said the state government seemed to be afraid of his supplementary question.

“If they felt my question would put the Mentri Besar in a spot, they should not have put my oral question first on the list.

“I was being very gentle towards Mentri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, as I can understand the feeling of being a first-time MB,” he added.

Dr Zambry was Mentri Besar from 2009 to 2018.