By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
KUALA SELANGOR, March 3 — The state government is prepared to review the allowances of local authorities’ councillors, as suggested by several state assemblymen during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly session recently.
However, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said this is not a pressing matter, as his administration aims to enhance the best services for the people.
“We have not brought up anything yet (regarding allowance reviews), and for now, we want to ensure the local authorities’ duties and work can be carried out. We will consider it if the need arises.
“However, it is not a priority as we want to improve services, especially in areas like waste collection, which is now a focus for Selangor.
“We want to streamline waste collection and reduce complaints related to illegal dumping,” he said after officiating the Ehsan Fun Run marathon at the Selangor Fruit Valley, here yesterday.
During the assembly session earlier this week, several state representatives, including Subang Jaya state assemblyman Michelle Ng Mei Sze and Pandamaran state assemblyman Leong Tuck Chee, raised the issue about the need to review the allowances of local authorities’ councillors.
At present, councillors in cities and municipalities are granted RM2,500 monthly in allowance, while in districts it is RM2,000.
Meanwhile, Amirudin also stressed the need for politicians to respect and adhere to the decree of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
The sovereign has firmly stated that he will not entertain any parties which threaten Malaysia’s political stability.
Speaking as Gombak MP, the Menteri Besar said he is convinced by His Majesty’s decree after having witnessed the effects of instability faced by the country in recent years.
“Sultan Ibrahim’s decree is also His Majesty’s hope and advice, which ought to be respected and followed by all citizens and political players.
“I believe His Majesty has seen and observed how instability in the past few years has given rise to economic problems which we are attempting to rectify. The task of economic recovery cannot be completed in a day, and the King has his own foresight.
“At the level of our unity government, we will strive to maintain the unity that exists and continue to fulfil our responsibilities,” he said.
In the royal address during the opening ceremony of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (February 26), Sultan Ibrahim stated that all parties must accept the reality and respect the unity government which has been formed.
His Majesty made it abundantly clear that if any individual or parties wish to play politics, then they should wait for the next general election.
