Selangor state assembly approves salary cut for MB, exco members, speaker, deputy speaker

The Bill of the Members of Administration and Members of the State Assembly (Remuneration)(Amended) Enactment 2014 provides for the salary of the menteri besar to be reduced from RM29,500 to RM25,000; exco members' salary from RM20,250 to RM15,000; speaker's salary from RM22,500 to RM15,000 and deputy speaker's salary from RM15,750 to RM10,000.

Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, when tabling the enactment, however said the salary cut did not involve the Selangor state assemblymen.

The last salary adjustment was made in November last year.

Mohamed Azmin said the salary cut for the four posts was made based on the percentage of salary hike prior to this, which was said to be unreasonable, particularly for the posts of speaker and deputy speaker.

"The state government projected that over RM1.029 million anuually can be saved through this salary adjustment compared to 2014," he said.

Earlier Hulu Kelang state assemblyman from PAS Saari Sungib when debating on the bill said the salary adjustment would be more fair if the salary of Selangor state assemblymen, amounting to RM11,250, was also reduced.

Mohamed Azmin, however, said the salary received by the state assemblymen was adequate by taking into consideration the duties thay had to execute.

Kampung Tunku state assemblyman from DAP, Lau Weng San in his debate said the speaker should receive a higher salary compared to exco members through the salary adjustment by taking into account the role and responsibilities of the post.

The state assembly sitting in Nov last year approved a salary increase for the four posts with the deputy speaker getting the highest pay hike of 373.3 per cent.