M'sians Question Sabah State Assembly's Decision To Grant 40% Pay Rise For Its Ministers

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According to Sinar Harian, deputy speaker Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman announced the passing of the enactment after the third reading, following majority voice votes.

Based on the bill, the Sabah Chief Minister's salary would be RM33,033 compared to the current RM23,595.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister's salary would be increased from RM20,872.50 to RM29,221.50.

Here are the new salaries for other members of the state administration:
– Minister: RM22,869 (from RM16,335 per month);
– Speaker: RM22,869 (from RM16,335);
– Assistant Minister: RM17,787 (from RM12,705);
– Deputy Speaker: RM17,787 (from RM12,705);
– Assemblyman: RM11,130 (from RM7950); and
– Political secretary: RM7,623 (from RM5,445).

These salaries were last amended in 2015, which saw a 50% hike. Before that, they saw a hike of up to 60% in 2009, reported Malay Mail.

Bernama reported Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as saying that the increase would cost the state government some RM5.6 million per year.

He added that the move to raise these allowances had been studied by a committee, which is led by Sabah director-general of Public Service Datuk Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, and it was hoped to ease the burden borne by elected representatives.

"This is our culture in Sabah right now. Everyday, elected representatives will be visited by their constituents. I agree that maybe their salary right now is insufficient to provide aid to their people," he added.

Hajiji Noor went on to argue that a review of these expenses has not been conducted for 19 years, or since 2003.

Many netizens criticised the decision, calling it inappropriate for the current state of the economy.

"People are struggling with the cost of living and the prices of goods are hiking up. But Sabah relaxedly increased [minister's] salaries by 40%!" one Malaysian tweeted.

Another Malaysian sarcastically praised the current state governments by calling them caring.

"They get an increase in salary while the people are suffering," read the comment.

"The people are struggling, subsidies are disappearing, prices of goods and unemployment rates are increasing. Ministers' salaries are also increasing. See you on judgement day," a user wrote.

One person remarked how quick they were to increase their salary, but would wait when it came to aiding the people.