The Terengganu state legislative assembly sitting yesterday passed the Members of the Administration and State Assemblyman (Emolument) (Amendment) Enactment 1980 to enable the state assemblypersons to receive a new salary scale equivalent to that of a Grade 54 government officer, effective Jan 1, 2015.

The chairperson of the state committee on Industry and Trade, Tengku Putera Tengku Awang, said with the passing of the enactment, all the 32 assemblypersons would receive a new salary of RM11,000 compared to only RM4,112.97 or equivalent to the salary of a Grade 44 government officer previously.

“Based on the responsibility, sacrifice and best service (of the assemblypersons) the state assembly sitting passed the (amendment) bill, the percentage (increase) is certainly high, but it is commensurate with the services and sacrifice rendered by the elected representatives and the current situation,” he told reporters after the conclusion of the state assembly sitting in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.

Menteri besar Razif Abdul Rahman ( photo ) had tabled the amendment bill yesterday which was seconded by Tengku Putera, and unanimously passed by the assemblypersons including those from the opposition.

Razif said Terengganu was among the last states to pass the amendment and the emolument to be received by the Terengganu assemblypersons was still lower compared to those received by assemblypersons in Sarawak and Selangor.

“We are still low compared to Selangor (RM11,250.00) and Sarawak which is the highest at more than RM15,000 per month,” he said.

- Bernama