Former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail wants politicians who were appointed as heads of GLCs and GLICs to take a 50 percent cut to their allowances and salaries.
She also proposed that the prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers lead by example and take a 10 percent pay cut.
Wan Azizah (Pakatan Harapan-Pandan) said these savings could then be channelled to the government’s Covid-19 fund.
“These cuts are not for nothing but will be channelled as their corporate social responsibility to the Covid-19 fund.
“These MPs already have salaries (as lawmakers),” she added while debating the Budget 2021 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Previously, former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal proposed a 30 percent pay cut for the cabinet, while former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested that high-income earners in both the public and private sector also take a 10 percent pay cut.
The Perikatan Nasional government has been criticised for having an allegedly bloated cabinet and also for appointing politicians to head GLCs allegedly to secure support.
Currently, the prime minister’s salary is RM22,826.65 while a minister’s salary is RM14,907.20. A deputy minister earns RM10,847.65.
Meanwhile, chairpersons’ allowances and salaries for GLCs vary from one company to another.
In March, cabinet members donated two months’ salary to the Covid-19 fund. – Malaysiakini