KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan has questioned the proposal to increase parliamentary and state seats in Sarawak, warning it could raise public spending without improving governance.
He said Members of Parliament earn about RM16,000 monthly in basic salary, with allowances pushing total remuneration to around RM25,000, while Sarawak assemblymen receive about RM15,000 a month before additional benefits.
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Voon also highlighted pension concerns, noting politicians can qualify for pensions after just 36 months of service, with reports of gratuities reaching RM1 million to RM2 million and combined pensions exceeding RM100,000 monthly for those holding multiple positions.
He warned that expanding constituencies could encourage political patronage and increase long-term financial obligations through salaries, allowances and pensions.
“Malaysia is already facing fiscal pressures. The focus should be on improving governance and fiscal discipline, not expanding the political class,” he said.
