Penang will double the allowance for the opposition leader in the state legislative assembly to RM2,000.

During his winding up speech at the Penang DAP convention today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is also the Penang chief minister, said due recognition must be given to this position.

"We should give recognition to the position of the opposition leader. We hope other states would do it as well," Lim said.

"This is the only state which has given the opposition leader a 100 percent pay rise."

On Friday, Lim said the government will table a motion to increase the salaries of its 40 state assemblypersons by 88 percent.

The state is also mulling an increase in the allowances for municipal councillors and village development and security committee (JKKK) chairpersons and secretaries.

Currently, councillors are paid a monthly allowance of RM700 and are able to make up to RM600 in claims.

State reps might be audited

The JKKK chairperson is paid RM450 a month while the secretary is paid RM350. They can expect an increase of RM200 by next year.

"Hopefully with the increase, everyone would be able to work better," Lim said during his speech.

Lim also proposed that an external auditor would be engaged to review the work of DAP assemblypersons.

He added that since it would be difficult for party members to review their own comrade's performance, an independent auditor would do a better job.

"The auditors would review the performance of assemblypersons, including those who do not pick up their phone," Lim said.

"I still receive reports that some assemblypersons are not answering their phones. People tell me that even the CM can answer his call, why not these state reps," he added.

On Friday, it was reported that the Penang government will increase the salaries of its 40 assemblypersons by 88 percent, from RM4,111.79 to RM6,000.

The new pay scheme which is only for assemblypersons and not for the chief minister or state executive councillors, will be effective next year.

Lim said Penang has not increased the salaries of its state reps since 2004, and the amount of the increase works out to only 6.8  percent per year.