GEORGE TOWN, Nov 17 — A bill proposing a 100 per cent salary hike for all of Penang’s executive councillors is expected to be passed in the state legislative assembly this Friday.

The bill also proposes an 87 per cent hike in salary for the state’s 40 assemblymen and an addition 50 per cent increase in allowance for the opposition leader.

Announcing the proposed pay rise yesterday, Lim Guan Eng said he was not getting an increment in his salary, making him the “lowest paid” chief minister in the country.

“The main reason behind the pay hikes is because of the rising cost of living. We are also doing it in line with (the salaries of legislators) in other developed states like Selangor and Sarawak,” he told reporters on the sideline of the assembly sitting.

Lim said that although the timing of the wage hike for elected representatives might not be perfect, it was crucial to face the rising cost of living.

The hike was tabled on Monday under the Members of the Administration and the Legislative Assembly (Remuneration) Enactment, 1980, Bill.

The current salary for all executive councilors was RM6,109.29 per month and this would increase to RM12,109.29 effective from Jan 1, next year once the salary adjustment has been passed.

The last salary increment for the Penang assembly members was in 2013.

Lim’s basic salary is RM14,000 per month but due to the salary upgrade, he would enjoy a pay hike as Air Putih assemblyman, from RM6,000 to RM11,250.

 House Speaker Law Choo Kiang’s basic pay will be reviewed from RM6,109.29 to RM12,109.29.

 The state opposition leader, Datuk Jahara Hamid, would receive an increase in allowance from RM2,000 to RM3,000.

Meanwhile, the Penang government would make sure that developers comply with all rules and regulations before approving any hillslope development projects.

Housing and Town and Country Planning executive councilor Jagdeep Singh Deo said among the rules and regulations were development guidelines enforced by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and, social, traffic and environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports.

“Development projects will only be approved if all terms and conditions were fulfilled by the developer,” Jagdeep (DAP-Datuk Keramat) told the state assembly session yesterday.

 He was replying to a question by A. Tanasekaran (DAP-Bagan Dalam) on hillslope housing projects in Penang.

 Later Mohamad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong) told the House the land office should conduct constant checks to prevent illegal land clearings, especially hill clearings.

 Jagdeep replied that the land office was currently conducting land surveys to stop illegal land clearings on the hills in Penang.