The decision to break ranks could literally prove to be costly for suspended Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister S Sothinathan.

According to a Bernama report today, his pay will be reviewed following his three-month suspension as a deputy minister.

Chief secretary to the government Samsudin Osman said he will meet with attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, who is currently studying the matter, as soon as possible to obtain his view.

He said a careful study is necessary as this is the first case involving a deputy minister and existing laws do not specify the matter.

"We want to ensure that the action to be taken is correct and we have to look at examples (of suspension) from other countries," he added.

Samsudin said if the suspension involved a civil servant, matters pertaining to pay is up to the head of department and the individual will normally receive half-month's salary.

However, he added that the scenario was different in Sothinathan's case.

On the same note, he said the deputy minister could visit his office, even under suspension, since he is still a Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarian.

Sothinathan, who is also MIC secretary-general, was suspended after he questioned the government in Parliament on Tuesday regarding its decision to de-recognise medical degrees from the Crimea State Medical University.

The Ukraine-based university has a large number of Indian Malaysian students.

Praiseworthy action

In a related development, Perak Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli Ghazali and Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim described the suspension as a warning to others.

"Although Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi looks soft, this action is stern and a warning not only to component parties but to Umno leaders as well," said Tajol.

He added that leaders who cannot accept the party's stand should quit and then voice their dissatisfaction.

"We can compromise or accept if the actions by component parties sometimes run contrary to the views of the leadership, but we cannot (compromise) if it involves government policies," he said.

Tajol said differences between component parties should not be aired in Parliament and those with grouses should meet with the premier personally.

Meanwhile, Rais said the prime minister's action should be praised.

"He (the premier) was seen as a soft person who smiled a lot and many quarters felt they could walk all over him. No, with his action yesterday, I raise my hat off to him for proving that he is a stern leader," he added.

He said this was a 'red light' for those who feel like throwing words around that can lead to an erosion of public confidence in the government.

"We in the cabinet are proud with the prime minister and we have seen MIC president S Samy Vellu accept the decision in a good manner," he added.