MPs give themselves RM4,500 pay raise

Members of Parliament passed the Members of Parliament (Renumeration) (Amendment) Bill 2014 early this morning, giving themselves a pay hike of RM4,500. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, April 10, 2015.The Dewan Rakyat passed the Members of Parliament (Renumeration) (Amendment) Bill 2014 early this morning, giving themselves a pay raise of RM4,500.

According to a report by Bernama, the bill to hike the salaries and allowances of members of Parliament was deferred to the current sitting of Parliament from the previous.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, when tabling the bill for second reading, said the amendments were made due to current factors which were challenging to the members of Parliament.

"In addition, the duty of the members of Parliament is getting heavier in carrying out the high hopes of the people, and this will boost the spirit of the elected representatives to work with more commitment and dedication," he said.

The bill provides for the monthly salary of a member of Parliament to be raised to RM16,000 from RM11,500, members of the Dewan Negara from RM7,000 to RM11,000, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker and Dewan Negara Deputy president from RM16,000 to RM22,000 and Dewan Rakyat Speaker and Dewan Negara president from RM20,000 to RM31,000.

Currently, members of Parliament receive a basic pay of RM6,508.59 a month besides a monthly allowance of RM5,000 for entertainment, driver's pay, travel and handphone bill.

They are also paid a meeting allowance of RM200 a day when attending Parliamentary sittings and a daily allowance of RM150 to attend meetings with government agencies.

On November 27 last year, the Dewan postponed the bill after no agreement was achieved on the matters discussed. – Bernama, April 10, 2015.