All cabinet ministers have agreed to take a 20 percent pay cut to their monthly salaries.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this was in the spirit of being concerned with hardships faced by the people.
Asked for how long the salary cuts would be in place, Anwar replied: “Until the economy recovers. If the economy recovers in three years, we will review this.
“We shouldn’t have to cut salaries, but I thank (the cabinet) for their willingness to sacrifice a little.”
Anwar - who is not taking a salary as prime minister - also denied during his press conference in Putrajaya today that he was instead getting paid as finance minister.
“Some people say Anwar did not take the prime minister’s salary, but the finance minister’s salary.
“That is not true, there is just one salary (even if multiple posts are held),” he said.
Tasks for new ministers
Meanwhile, Anwar said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been put in charge of disaster management in anticipation of more floods.
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof has also been tasked with expediting the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu would also be announcing measures to lower the price of eggs, and ensure sufficient supply by removing the reliance on "cartels", Anwar said.
On the controversy surrounding Zahid's appointment as deputy premier, Anwar said this was based on party hierarchy.
He also said Zahid's corruption trial was still ongoing and that this process should be respected.
READ MORE: PM implies PN's campaign funds from gambling companies
For the upcoming Parliament session beginning Dec 19, Anwar said the government plans to table a budget on emoluments to ensure that civil service salaries can be paid.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said earlier today that a full budget will only be tabled one or two months from now.
On this, Anwar said any good proposals in Budget 2023 tabled by the previous government would be retained.
Likewise, any previous amendments and bills that the previous government was working on would also be deliberated by the cabinet after a review by Law and Institutional Reforms Minister Azalina Othman Said. - Mkini
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