Dr M willing to take 10% pension cut, urges salary reduction for ministers, others

 

Former PM Mahathir Mohamad admits his life has not been affected by the lockdown and SOPs.

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is willing to have his pension trimmed by 10% if it is used to reduce the burden of those who have lost their income.

In a statement, Mahathir said he agreed with calls for pay cuts for ministers, saying every time he took office as prime minister, his first motion would be to slash his salary and that of ministers, deputy ministers and other government officials by 10%.

“There was no huge economic problem then. Now, salaries have increased manifold.

“While many have lost their incomes, those earning salaries in the government have not experienced any reduction (in salaries). In the private sector too, there are no reduction in salaries.”

Mahathir said it would be appropriate for salaries of those whose jobs were “safe” to be reduced by 10% and channelled to those whose incomes had been affected.

He added that he was willing to do this.

“I admit that my life has not been affected by the lockdown and SOPs.” - FMT