KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian welcomes the announcement by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for agreeing in principle to increase the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting allowance for assemblyperson.
Dr Sim, who is also the Batu Kawah assemblyman, said it was appropriate to increase the allowance as the current allowance of RM50 per day has not been adjusted since 1980.
“All our assemblyperson very good, we serve the people without looking at how much we get paid.
“But on the other hand, the cost of living now is so high, plus transportation, you need money.
“So, it is only appropriate to adjust the DUN sitting allowance over a period of time,” he told reporters when asked to comment on the proposed increase in DUN sitting allowance after his visit to the Batu Kawah Health Clinic today (May 27).
Asked how much the increase should be, Dr Sim believed the DUN committee would look into the matter and take into consideration what was best.
“What is most important is that there must be a time frame for the adjustment of the allowance.
“For instance, it can be done every five years. It cannot be like the current one, which is since 1980s,” he said.
Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad recently had raised the issue on the DUN sitting allowance for the assemblymen during his debate speech on the motion of appreciation to the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s address at the DUN sitting.
He said that the allowance of RM50 per day had been constant since 42 years ago.
For this, Abang Johari during the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers dinner on Thursday (May 26) had agreed in principle to increase the attendance allowance or sitting allowance for the attendance of state assemblymen in the DUN.
This is because, he said it was appropriate for the allowance to be increased as the existing rate had been used for decades.
“The rate will be assessed later, however, I agree in principle to increase the attendance allowance,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Sim had visited the Batu Kawah Health Clinic to observe administration of the second COVID-19 booster dose for the media practitioners.
He then took the opportunity to administer the second booster dose to one of the journalists.
Meanwhile, it is estimated that about 60 media practitioners have received webbanki their second booster dose at the clinic today (May 27).
