Backbenchers back MB over salary hike amid dissent
Nigel AwPublished: Nov 30, 2013 6:32 AM | Updated: Nov 30, 2013 7:05 AM
Despite dissent among the ranks of the Pakatan Rakyat backbenchers club (BBC), it has reaffirmed its support for Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim over plans to increase the salary of Selangor assemblypersons.
Despite dissent among the ranks of the Pakatan Rakyat backbenchers club (BBC), it has reaffirmed its support for Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim over plans to increase the salary of Selangor assemblypersons.
However absent from the decisive meeting last night between the BBC and Abdul Khalid was BBC chairperson Azmin Ali, who had publicly opposed the salary hike from RM6,000 to RM11,250 and called for it to be shelved.
BBC deputy chairperson Abdul Rani Osman (right) said during the meeting the MB indicated that the hike will go on despite criticisms and the representatives present were in support of the move.
"There is no problem (with the salary hike), we accept it.
"It is from a legitimate source, it is not as if we are taking it (the money) illegally or being involved in corruption," said Abdul Rani, who is also Meru state assemblyperon.
He added that a substantial sum of the state assemblypersons' salaries will go back to the people as they spend it on serving their constituencies.
Abdul Rani said Abdul Khalid will issue a statement on Tuesday to address the criticism.
The Meru rep also explained Azmin's absence saying the latter was attending a programme in Lumut, Perak.
Storm in teacup
Meanwhile, Sekinchan state assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim (below) said representatives at the meeting yesterday were generally in agreement about the increase and were more focussed on how to address the criticism.
"The menteri besar advised us to put more attention on how to respond to the criticism and to improve our service to justify the increase," he said.
He conceded that the pay increase had been viewed negatively due to statements from within the BBC's own ranks.
"There were a few people trying to be heroes, which caused things to become messy.
"But the fact is this hike received bi-partisan backing including from the BN opposition," he said.
He added that the BBC has agreed to refrain from airing individual statements in public over the hike.
However absent from the decisive meeting last night between the BBC and Abdul Khalid was BBC chairperson Azmin Ali, who had publicly opposed the salary hike from RM6,000 to RM11,250 and called for it to be shelved.
BBC deputy chairperson Abdul Rani Osman (right) said during the meeting the MB indicated that the hike will go on despite criticisms and the representatives present were in support of the move."There is no problem (with the salary hike), we accept it.
"It is from a legitimate source, it is not as if we are taking it (the money) illegally or being involved in corruption," said Abdul Rani, who is also Meru state assemblyperon.
He added that a substantial sum of the state assemblypersons' salaries will go back to the people as they spend it on serving their constituencies.
Abdul Rani said Abdul Khalid will issue a statement on Tuesday to address the criticism.
The Meru rep also explained Azmin's absence saying the latter was attending a programme in Lumut, Perak.
Storm in teacup
Meanwhile, Sekinchan state assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim (below) said representatives at the meeting yesterday were generally in agreement about the increase and were more focussed on how to address the criticism.
"The menteri besar advised us to put more attention on how to respond to the criticism and to improve our service to justify the increase," he said.He conceded that the pay increase had been viewed negatively due to statements from within the BBC's own ranks.
"There were a few people trying to be heroes, which caused things to become messy.
"But the fact is this hike received bi-partisan backing including from the BN opposition," he said.
He added that the BBC has agreed to refrain from airing individual statements in public over the hike.
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