Petition on 50% pay cut for elected reps gathers steam

 

A screenshot of the petition on Change.org calling for elected representatives to take a 50% cut from their basic monthly salaries.

PETALING JAYA: A petition has been launched on Change.org urging Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, ministers, deputy ministers, MPs and state assemblymen to forfeit and donate 50% from their monthly salaries to the Tabung Prihatin.

The petition, which was created yesterday by one Francis Carlos, has already gained nearly 11,000 signatures as at 7pm.

It said that the closure of Parliament and state assemblies due to the Emergency “disallowed all elected representatives from performing their required democratic duties and to competently administer to the needs of Malaysian citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“We implore all elected representatives to exercise compassion and volunteer to take the 50% pay cut for the duration of the pandemic.

“This will help support and provide cash assistance to the poor B40 and struggling M40 middle-class groups of Malaysians whose livelihoods are affected by the total lockdown,” the petition read.

When contacted, an MP who requested anonymity, said he had to pay his staff, maintain the service centre and give donations to constituents from his allowances.

“As for annual allocations for the constituency, the federal government gives opposition MPs only RM100,000 while government representatives get RM3.7 million. At the end of the month, we get to keep only 50% of our allowances for our families.

“Ministers and their deputies, GLC chairmen and those appointed as board members get salary and allowances in addition to the annual allocations. Maybe the people should ask this group of MPs to donate to the fund,” he said. - FMT