Slash MPs’ allowances since Parliament sittings cut short, says Kadir Jasin

 

A Kadir Jasin wonders if there was an ulterior motive in shortening Parliament proceedings and limiting the number of MPs.

PETALING JAYA: Veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin has called for the salaries and allowances of MPs to be cut as the Dewan Rakyat proceedings will be shortened to four hours a day.

In a Facebook post today, he said shortening the hours to such an extent and limiting the number of MPs to 80 at any one time did not make sense, adding that it seemed like the lives of elected representatives were more important than that of others.

“Politicians always say the people should be prioritised, but now, it looks like under the Perikatan Nasional government the lives and welfare of MPs are prioritised.

“If this is the case, then the work hours and staff numbers of hospital workers, policemen, soldiers and other government services should also be limited to four hours a day and 80 people at a time.

“Since politicians often preach about how they make sacrifices for the people, let’s challenge them to cut their salaries and allowances, especially proceedings allowances, since they will only attend Parliament once in a while and, even then, only for four hours,” he said.

Kadir said the Covid-19 situation was no excuse for the function of Parliament to be weakened in such a way, saying Malaysia’s ratio of infections to residents remained one of the lowest.

He questioned if there was an ulterior motive in shortening the proceedings hours and limiting the number of MPs present. - FMT