Pay hike deferred as MPs want even more
Nigel AwPublished: Nov 27, 2014 12:50 PM | Updated: Nov 27, 2014 10:30 PM
The government has decided to put off the pay hike for MPs after several elected representatives pressured the government for a higher increment.
The government has decided to put off the pay hike for MPs after several elected representatives pressured the government for a higher increment.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim was put in a spot as the government could not make changes to the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill 2014 for higher increment at the 11th hour.
According to it, the allowance of MPs would have been increased from RM6,508.59 to RM11,000.
A prior notice must be made to Parliament for such changes but it was the last day of Parliament.
Shahidan was winding up for the Bill during the second reading stage.
"As MP for two terms, this is my biggest test, I sympathise. If I had the power, I will (do changes for higher increment) but I am bound by the rules, we have to agree on this," lamented Shahidan.
He was responding to Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (PKR-Kuala Langat) who earlier said the MPs' hike should not be less than certain state assemblypersons in the country.
"We work 24 hours a day, the rakyat is our employer, if there is flood at 2am we have to go.
"The review should be fair to us. I think the minister agree that the states' allowances should not be more than us.
"It's like football... we are in the premier league but we are paid below division two," he said.
This prompted Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) (left) and Othman Abdul (BN-Pendang) to voice support and demand that the Bill be postponed.
Despite Shahidan's plea, Bung insisted: "We work for the people, just postpone it".
At this, R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) suggested that the House use Standing Order 54(2) which will refer the Bill to a Select Committee that allows for amendments without prior notice, after which no further debate is allowed.
However, Pandikar said this would set a bad precedent.
"This is the first time I am facing a challenge. I accept Subang's suggestion that we can use that standing order but since it is a government motion, if I allow it, it will have bad implications. If a government's motion is defeated is not good," he said.
Pandikar then said the Shahidan had a choice to use Standing Order 62 which will allow the government to withdraw or postponed the Bill, and called for a 15-minute recess for the minister to decide.
When the house reconvened, Shahidan announced that the Bill would be postponed to next year, where the necessary changes can be made.
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Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim was put in a spot as the government could not make changes to the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill 2014 for higher increment at the 11th hour.
According to it, the allowance of MPs would have been increased from RM6,508.59 to RM11,000.
A prior notice must be made to Parliament for such changes but it was the last day of Parliament.
Shahidan was winding up for the Bill during the second reading stage.
"As MP for two terms, this is my biggest test, I sympathise. If I had the power, I will (do changes for higher increment) but I am bound by the rules, we have to agree on this," lamented Shahidan.He was responding to Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (PKR-Kuala Langat) who earlier said the MPs' hike should not be less than certain state assemblypersons in the country.
"We work 24 hours a day, the rakyat is our employer, if there is flood at 2am we have to go.
"The review should be fair to us. I think the minister agree that the states' allowances should not be more than us.
"It's like football... we are in the premier league but we are paid below division two," he said.
This prompted Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) (left) and Othman Abdul (BN-Pendang) to voice support and demand that the Bill be postponed.Despite Shahidan's plea, Bung insisted: "We work for the people, just postpone it".
At this, R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) suggested that the House use Standing Order 54(2) which will refer the Bill to a Select Committee that allows for amendments without prior notice, after which no further debate is allowed.
However, Pandikar said this would set a bad precedent.
"This is the first time I am facing a challenge. I accept Subang's suggestion that we can use that standing order but since it is a government motion, if I allow it, it will have bad implications. If a government's motion is defeated is not good," he said.
Pandikar then said the Shahidan had a choice to use Standing Order 62 which will allow the government to withdraw or postponed the Bill, and called for a 15-minute recess for the minister to decide.
When the house reconvened, Shahidan announced that the Bill would be postponed to next year, where the necessary changes can be made.
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