SHAH ALAM, 10 Oct: For the first time in the state’s history, the state government will be giving allowances and benefits to the Opposition Leader of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) as an acknowledgement of the importance of this position in a democratic government.
Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the decision was made taking into consideration that the Opposition Leader is an important component in a government which practises democracy, to play the check and balance role to the ruling government.
With this, the Opposition Leader will receive a fixed allowance, driver’s allowance, executive secretary allowance and a government official car and other allowances amounting to RM8,620 per month. Allowance payment is also in line with the remuneration paid to the opposition leader in the Parliament under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.
“This importance could be seen, for example, when priority is given to the opposition leader to debate first after a bill is tabled in the state assembly and debate the motion of thanks for the Sultan after the Chief Minister,” he said after the Selangor State Executive Council Selangor (MMKN).
The State Executive Council convened on 9 October will be considering and approving additional privileges which will be implemented under Section 5 of the Members of Administration and Members of the State Assembly (Remuneration) Enactment 1980.
This approval will be enforced after it is tabled at the Third Meeting of the First Term of the 13th State Assembly which is expected to convene on 19 November.
“It is also in line with the Pakatan government’s desire to plant and inseminate genuine democracy in this country to provide equality or rights for the welfare of the people,” he said.
