The Members of the Administration and Members of the Legislative Assembly (Remuneration) (Amendment) Enactment 2022, tabled by chief minister Hajiji Noor, was passed by a majority vote.

With the approval, the chief minister’s remuneration has been increased from RM23,595 to RM33,033 per month.

The new pay for the deputy chief minister will be RM29,221.50 (from RM20,872.50); minister RM22,869 (from RM16,335); Speaker RM22,869 (from RM16,335); assistant minister RM17,787 (from RM12,705); deputy speaker RM17,787 (from RM12,705); assemblyman RM11,130 (from RM7,950); and political secretary RM7,623 (from RM5,445).

Hajiji, who is state finance minister, said when winding up the bill that the financial implications for the state government as a result of the increase was not too “heavy” and involved a total of RM5.6 million a year.

He said the increase had been carefully studied by a committee led by Sabah director-general of public services, Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai.

It is aimed at easing the burden borne by elected representatives and members of the government administration in providing assistance to the people.

Meanwhile, the assembly today also approved the Civil List (Amendment) Enactment 2022 which increases the privy purse, entertainment allowance and regional allowance for the Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

The bill, to increase the privy purse from RM215,280 to RM301,392 a year; entertainment allowance (from RM152,490 to RM213,486); and regional allowance (from RM44,850 to RM62,790), was passed by a majority vote.

The state assembly sitting continues tomorrow.