MALAYSIANS will have to lead a more modest lifestyle and live on a lower income to ride out the Covid-19 pandemic, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.

The former prime minister said the people have to reduce activities that cost money so they can survive on lower salaries.

“Because of the lowered income, our lifestyles have to change. We cannot expect to enjoy our old ways, which costs money.

“The standard of living where we want to wear nice dresses, want to go to parties… all these have to be cut down and reduce our expenditure.

“If we are prepared to do these, then we can overcome this pandemic,” he said on MyPerintis Facebook live today.

He said this will also reduce the strain on employers.

“For example, footballers want to be paid the same salary, but they are not playing football. There are no games, so how can the club pay them?

“We must all accept that our lifestyle (expenditure) must be reduced (in line) with a much smaller income. We cannot enjoy the same old lifestyle, which costs money.”

A nationwide movement-control order is in place till April 14 to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.

The virus has killed 61 people in Malaysia so far. – April 6, 2020.