KOTA KINABALU: The salary increment for the state Cabinet members and Sabah assemblymen should have instead been channelled to the elected representatives’ official allocation, says the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).
Sabah Muda chairman Amos Thien said some tried to defend the pay hike, which represented a 40% increase, by justifying that the increment would be directed towards providing aid and assistance to constituents.
“If that is the case, Muda calls for the 40% increment to be channelled to the official Adun budget instead.
“Sabah Muda believes the additional funds should go to the Adun budget as every expense from the allocation is reported to the respective town council,” he said on Monday (July 25).
Amos added there was no level of accountability if the increment went straight into the salaries of assemblymen as expenses from wages were not required to be scrutinised compared with the budget allocation of Adun.
“With every expense from the official budget accounted for, there is a level of accountability.
“But if the increment goes to the salaries of assemblymen, it is more difficult to see where the money goes afterwards. This is something that voters have a right to know,” he said in a statement.
The Sabah state assembly on July 19 passed a Bill to increase the salaries of the state Cabinet members, assemblymen, Speaker, Deputy Speakers and political secretaries.
Following that, the Chief Minister’s salary has been increased to RM33,033 from RM23,595; deputy chief ministers (RM20,872.50 to RM29,221.50); ministers (RM16,335 to RM22,869); assistant ministers (RM12,705 to RM17,787); assemblymen (RM7,950 to RM11,130) and political secretaries (RM5,445 to RM7,623).
During the debate over the Bill, Opposition lawmakers said increasing their pay now was inappropriate at a time when ordinary citizens were suffering due to the rising cost of living as well as a downturn in economic opportunities.
Separately, Amos said irresponsible politicians who started the culture of giving handouts were the ones to blame for the rakyat viewing their representatives as ATMs (auto-teller machines) and one-stop aid centres.
“Come election season, candidates begin distributing handouts to curry favour from voters. But how far do these handouts improve the lives of the rakyat? Why are there still too many Sabahans who live in poverty?
“It is undoubtedly the job of the Adun to help the rakyat but aid and assistance should be given through proper channels as well,” he said.
During the state assembly sitting last week, Datuk Masiung Banah (Independent-Kuamut) was reported to have said that assemblymen were viewed as “ATMs” which was agreed by Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Barisan Nasional-Sindumin).
When debating the Bill, Masiung, an independent friendly to the government, said the rising cost of goods not only affected the people but also elected representatives.
“We don’t only serve as assemblymen but also as ‘doctors, welfare officers, lawyers’ and most significantly, especially when there are weddings, accidents or deaths (in the community), as ATMs,” he said.
Sabah and Sarawak
