Dewan Rakyat members passed the the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill 2014 in the wee hours of Friday, giving themselves a pay hike of around RM9,500.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim said this is taking into account the rising costs for MPs to do their duties.

The bill states monthly salaries, including allowances, are as follows:

  • Dewan Rakyat members: RM16,000 (up from RM6,508.59);

 

  • Dewan Negara members: RM11,000 (up from RM4,112.79);

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  • Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara deputy speakers: RM22,000 (up from RM10,847.65);

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  • Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara speakers: RM31,000 (up from RM14,907.20)
    • Dewan Rakyat members are paid RM6,508.59 basic pay and RM5,000 as allowances for entertainment, driver's wages, travel and mobile phone bill.

    They are paid RM200 a day when attending Parliamentary sitting and RM150 a day for meetings with government agencies.

    While most MPs left after giving themselves a pay hike, some stayed on to debate the extension sub-section 4 of section 1, Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 to extend the enforcement of this Act for another five years beginning June 15, 2015 and other matters.

    Longest sitting ever

    The MPs who stayed on set a record, with the day's proceedings declared the longest in the Malaysian Parliament history.

    The proceedings started at 10am and ended at 4.18am.

    "I would like to announce that this is the longest Parliament sitting on record.

    "In the previous sessions, the longest sitting was until 3.21am," deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee said to mark the end of proceedings.

    Some of those who stayed on both sides, had fallen asleep on their chairs.

    This prompted Kiandee (left) to urge the lawmakers not to take pictures of their snoozing colleagues.

    Parliamentarians cheered each other on as debates rolled past 4am, by reminding each other they just got a raise.

    "But the bailiffs and all those at the back did not get a raise," Kiandee said, prompting laughter from some Parliament staff memners on duty.

    He also read out the names of all MPs still in the House, for this to be recorded in the Hansard.

    Among those on the opposition bench who stayed on included G Manivannan (PKR-Kapar), Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan), Dr Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai), Khairuddin Aman Razali (PAS-Kuala Nerus), Sim Tong Hin (DAP-Kota Melaka) and Che Rosli Che Mat (PAS-Hulu Langat).

    Those on the government side who stayed until the end were Halimah Mohd Sadique (BN-Tenggara), Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu), Abdul Rahman Mohamad (BN-Lipis), Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad (BN-Kuala Kangsar) and Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur (BN-Silam).