YOURSAY 'What's point of the MB earning RM5,000 but receiving kickbacks, commissions and under-table money amounting to RM500,000 every month?'

Misplaced corporate flavour to Selangor's pay rises

Gunner: Remunerating political leaders with a reasonable amount is a good move if they don't commit corrupt practices and abuse of power. In Selangor's case, so far the state government has demonstrated good governance and transparency.

What is the point of, let say, a menteri besar with a monthly salary of only RM5,000 but receiving kickbacks, commissions, discounts and under-table money amounting to RM500,000 every month?

Not to mention getting government land and contracts through cronies. In fact, it would be reasonably fine to reward the menteri besar of Selangor a monthly salary RM40,000 if he practises zero corruption in his administration.

Fair Play: Ever wonder why our tiny southern neighbour Singapore is a top-ranking world-class nation in almost all conceivable global rankings?

This is because they run their country like a corporation, with clear vision, mission, execution and accountability and of course, led by the best brains money can buy.

This comment is not written in defence of MB Khalid Ibrahim nor an attack on PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

No doubt the new remuneration package is higher than most other states. But the reality is that Selangor is the most successful state, economically and financially.

Maplesyrup: What is wrong with equating the private sector with the government? If Malaysia wants to be a developed nation, we cannot have a third world mentality and expect lawmakers be paid peanuts.

My nephew is a graduate, and after working for three years, now draws RM5,000 a month. For too long we expect those who opt to enter politics to live on sunshine and water alone, all in the name of national service.

If we want to retain quality people in politics, we at least must not let them live in poverty. Pay them well, but expect them to perform. With a good pay scale, we can at least attract better talents.

Malaysians should open our eyes and not be deceived. While Umno says that Selangor's pay rise is too high, it is without a doubt that the BN reps are not just surviving on the miserable few thousand ringgit they are getting.

They get contracts, they get special allowances and all kinds of monetary help. If we expect lawmakers to stay clean, they should at least have a decent pay. Sack them come GE14 if they don't perform.

Don't expect to recruit a good CEO of a listed company like Nestle if we only want to pay RM5,000 a month.

Thana55: The problem is the 300% rise for the deputy speaker at one go. Hannah Yeoh came into the job fully aware of the remuneration. A maximum 50% rise for her is a fair increase. It would have also been the politically correct thing to do.

Whilst the state's bank balance has improved leaps and bounds, the same cannot be said of the quality of life in the state. So much more work needs to be done before they can justify a 300% pay rise.

Dex: But their pay to start off was ridiculous. Imagine the deputy speaker getting RM3,000. YB Khalid, keep up the good job. PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and the rest of the gang, stop being a church mouse.

Malaysia ABU: With this Selangor Adun (state assembly) pay rise, am I the only one who's noticed that their salary is only RM6,000 plus? I think that pay is ridiculous.

No wonder, previously many who were in those positions resorted to other 'side incomes' or sleeping on their jobs.

A manager in a SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) may even have better pay than they. Selangor is one of the richest states in Malaysia, and is currently performing well.

A monthly pay of RM12,000 is worthwhile. I'd rather pay a manager an extra RM6,000 than to have him fail or become corrupt in his job and cause the company to lose RM600,000.

Leo: Be it the corporate world or the political arena, the best talent have to be accorded with reasonably handsome remuneration. The state assemblypersons or MPs must be well paid for them to carry out their duties diligently and honestly.

For far too long, we have been in the perilous situation of 'harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi'. These people, the elected reps must be well paid so that they can carry out their tasks with no worries of their personal finance.

This will ensure that the management of the resources of the nation/states is carried out to the best interest of the people (and not in their personal interests). I therefore fully support the Selangor state assembly's move to increase pay.

Jasper: I live in Petaling Jaya, just across the border from Kuala Lumpur. Thankfully my rates are not going up.

If the Selangor government can continue to provide the kind of services that they are providing and without increasing rates like KL, then I say go ahead and give them the increase.

Do our YBs really deserved a hefty pay rise?

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