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Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan defended the decision to increase the allowances paid to state assemblymen, saying they are currently among the lowest paid elected representatives in the country.

He said raising their income to RM11,130 from RM7,950 a month still meant that they get less compared to their Sarawakian counterparts, who get about RM15,000 a month.

“We’ve already been left behind. Pity our assemblymen, how can they function well with a RM7,000 salary? In Sarawak, they’re getting RM15,000, while we’re only getting half that amount.

“I’m thankful for the slight increase, which will only take about RM5.6 million in allocations (annually),” he said, according to Astro Awani.

The Sabah Legislative Assembly last week approved a Bill to increase the remuneration of the Chief Minister, state assemblymen and other members of the state administration.