Post highlighting that Malaysian MPs earn 10 times national median wage attracts plenty of scorn

 

WITH majority of ordinary Malaysians feeling the pinch from the cost-of-living crisis, certain groups of people and their eye-watering salaries have come under the spotlight, among them our esteemed MPs.

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Malaysiakini journalist Aidila Razak (@aidilarazak), local MPs earn ten-fold the national median wage. This is compared to their peers across the Causeway who earn just 3.5 times the national median wage.

The reportage, which is part of the news portal’s KiniNewslab series, takes a closer look at the many benefits MPs are privy to, for instance, the many freebies a parliamentarian such as a Dewan Rakyat Speaker is entitled to are listed in useful infographics.

To further illustrate the point, the feature also used cartoons to underline the point that not all is right with the way the system rewards local MPs.

Netizens were asked to take part in a poll to ascertain public sentiment. It asked if citizens agreed with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s suggestion that civil servants only take home one pension or whether the pension scheme should be abolished and be replaced with EPF contributions.

The report by Malaysiakini’s special team has attracted plenty of attention. Here is a sample of what are being said.

One hinted at even bigger issues in the other house consisting of appointees.

One asked what was the need for the public to foot MP s firearm licenses while adding that the pension should only be paid at age of 60.

Some pointed out that such benefits are not even available to higher echelons in the private sector.

One netizen however did defend the high salaries and benefits packages saying it was necessary to attract top talent.

With another echoing this sentiment saying it would spur these elected representatives to do their best for the country.

Given the current mood, this reportage certainly shines a less-than-positive light on politicians and their bumper packages.

Whether this will jolt ordinary Malaysians into demanding changes or will they just shrug their collective shoulders remains to be seen. Suffice to say that for the moment, many ordinary Malaysians are far from happy with the state of things. – Focus Malaysia