Unity State Parliament passes Emoluments Act

The Transitional Legislative Assembly in Unity State on Monday passed the Emolument Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 into law opening the way for state parliamentarians to get their salaries.

The Transitional Legislative Assembly in Unity State on Monday passed the Emolument Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 into law opening the way for state parliamentarians to get their salaries.

Stephen Mawich, the chairperson of the information committee in the Unity State parliament, said the new law increased the salary of legislators from SSP 85,000 to 500,000. 

“This Emolument Act will enhance our salaries and guide the payment of parliamentarians,” he said. “The increment of the salary to SSP 500,000 will help the lawmakers do their work and also initiate developments in their constituencies and homes.”

For his part, William Gatluak, the chairperson of the finance committee in the state parliament, confirmed that the house passed the law which increased their pay.

“We agreed as the Unity State legislature to pass the Emolument Act that will increase our salaries to SSP 500,000  from 85,000,” he said. “The law will now be sent to the office of Governor Joseph Manytuil Wejang so that he can sign it into law. If the governor does not give us feedback within 30 days, it will become law.”

“If you have a law guiding you, your activities will definitely be official,” Gatluak added.