Khalid defends hefty pay hike, urges those unhappy to donate

Selangor Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has rejected the proposal by Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman, Azmin Ali to defer the pay hike for state government officials, which will see them receiving up to a 400% increment.

Khalid also denied allegations that the salary hike was made without holding any discussions or receiving consent from other state assemblymen.

“I will not mull over of it because it had already been decided by the Dewan. Most of the Pakatan and BN state assemblymen have agreed to it," he said.

“Therefore, if there is anyone who is unhappy, they can donate their salary to charity,” he told reporters after attending a state assembly meeting in Shah Alam, today.

On Wednesday, the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Backbenchers Club, had proposed a deferment on the salary adjustment for state government officials, saying the increases were too high.

Its chairman, Azmin said, the salary hike should be within a reasonable quantum.

“We were not consulted on the hefty pay hike and some of us were caught off guard when the increase was passed in the state assembly. No discussions had been made with the BBC,” said Azmin, who is also Gombak Member of Parliament.

The state assembly had on Wednesday approved the salary increases, which will see the Selangor MB earning RM29,290 a month from RM14,175.15 while the Speaker will get RM22,500, from RM6,109.

The Deputy Speaker will receive RM15,750 from RM3,327.50 while assemblymen will receive RM11,250 from RM6,000 a month.

The salary adjustment for all the 56 state government officials will be effective on January 1, 2014. The last time the adjustment was made was in 2011.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Selangor economic advisor had previously said the salary adjustment was too high.

He had also recommended for Khalid to find a way in revising the implementation of the hefty pay hike.

Khalid however defended the pay hike, saying the proposed salaries were much lower than that paid to these office bearers in private companies.

He added the massive pay hike was justifiable as it was based on the salaries paid to such positions in Sarawak.

Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Negara (PERKASA) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the salary hike announced by Khalid was extraordinary and can be considered as world record.