Azmin leads attack on Khalid over pay hikes
'AUDACIOUS': It's taxpayers' money, PKR No. 2 tells Selangor menteri besar
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KUALA LUMPUR: THE usual suspects in the Selangor political saga were tossing criticisms at each other yesterday over the audacious pay hike for the menteri besar, executive councillors, speaker, deputy speaker and assemblymen.
The Selangor legislative assembly had, on Wednesday, approved pay cheque increases of 106 per cent for Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, 373 per cent for the speaker, deputy speaker (268 per cent), state assemblymen (87.5 per cent) and exco members (231 per cent).
Azmin Ali, who is PKR deputy president and chief tormentor of Khalid, pounced on the statewide backlash to pile the pressure on the menteri besar.
"It is the taxpayers' money, He (Khalid) owes them an explanation," he said at the Parliament lobby.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is the Selangor economic adviser as well as the defacto leader of PKR, too, was left ruing the hike.
"I think the menteri besar should reconsider the hike.
"I was told that the increase is a bit high and he has to explain to Pakatan," Anwar said.
He went on to suggest the increases were indeed "too high".
Khalid directed this displeasure at Azmin, telling the younger man, who, as assemblyman, would be getting a pay rise, to either take the new salary or donate it.
"That's his (Azmin) right to object. Some can take it or leave it or donate part or the entire amount to charity.
"This is applicable to all.
"Anyone who is not happy with the new salary adjustment can choose to not take their salaries," Khalidsaid at the Dewan Negeri Selangor lobby.
He said the increment was considered "low and reasonable".
Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar summed up the party's stance.
He said when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had earlier hinted at the possibility of an increase in parliamentarians' allowance, Pakatan members of parliament had rejected the proposal, saying that representatives should consider the people as it was taxpayers' money.
"Pakatan claims that their main agenda is to fight for the people... the same MP who opposed the pay hike proposal in Parliament is also a member of the Selangor state assembly.
"I do not see the same individual opposing the move in the state assembly."
Political punditry was actively analysing the latest twist given the traditional Khalid-Azmin feud. Khalid had long been replaced by Azmin as the state party chief.
Despite being a PKR assemblyman, Khalid is reportedly propped up largely by the 30 assemblymen from Pas and DAP.
Political analyst, Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, tracked Anwar's latest political attitude, culminating in his public criticism of Khalid.
"Perhaps, Anwar is tapping into this issue to test the water at the grassroots level," Sivamurugan of Universiti Sains Malaysia said.
Sivamurugan said the unprecedented salary hike might have a negative impact on the legitimacy of the state government since the matter was opposed by Pakatan leaders and supporters.
Last Sunday, during PKR's special national congress, Anwar, in jest, had criticised Khalid after he alleged the latter was slow in taking action on his advice.
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political and international studies senior lecturer Md Shukri Shuib questioned why Anwar did not object to the increment earlier since he is the Selangor economic adviser.
"He (Anwar) has been telling people that he was appointed economic adviser for Selangor.
"Anwar should have advised the menteri besar not to go ahead with the salary increment."
He said there was this growing conflict between Khalid and Anwar, who is in favour of Azmin.
Another political analyst, Datuk Dr Ramlah Adam, said Anwar's outburst over the matter was a way for PKR to hide it weaknesses.
"DAP is administering Penang while Pas is the state government for Kelantan.
"Selangor is supposed to be the role model for PKR but they blew it with the salary hike," she said. Additional reporting by Zarina Zakariah, Emilia Gazali and Hana Naz Harun
Read more: Azmin leads attack on Khalid over pay hikes - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/azmin-leads-attack-on-khalid-over-pay-hikes-1.415550#ixzz2m22JUagT
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