PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today welcomed the move by Putrajaya to donate two months’ salaries of ministers and deputy ministers to the Covid-19 fund to help fight the spread of the virus.

“Today, we have the announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office about the decision to cut salaries of the prime minister, ministers and deputy ministers for two months as their contribution to the Covid-19 issue.

“I welcome this. This demonstrates the demands of the people, who took the issue to social media to demand the leaders provide good examples and sacrifice some of their income, were effective,” he said in a livestreamed video on his Facebook page.

The fund, which was launched on March 11, has received nearly RM8.5 million in donations.

Anwar also said that he has directed PKR’s MPs to contribute to hospitals, police stations and the poor in their respective constituencies.

He said despite cuts in the MPs’ allocations, they would still continue to serve the people.

“Previously, we have directed our MPs to give the maximum possible contribution to hospitals, IPDs and identify the poor in their respective constituencies.

“Despite the allowance cut, we will not be interrupted from serving our people,” he said.

Anwar also urged the government to ensure enough protection is given to workers who have been laid off during this period.

He said companies are taking the opportunity to expel workers as they are not generating much income.

“We still hear from everywhere about arbitrary dismissal of workers. I do not understand why the Human Resources Ministry and the government generally do not emphasise (with the fact) that workers cannot be dismissed now and that companies cannot have their workers’ pay revoked at this stage due to small profits.

“This is a problem with wealthy corporate companies, whose profits were worth billions before, and when there is a bit of an economic crisis and losses, they continue to press down and expel the workers first.

“I want to urge the government to stand firm and not tolerate the dismissal of workers at this stage. By giving the workers a small amount of food, that will not fix the problem,” he said.

Anwar also hoped Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will announce a comprehensive stimulus package tomorrow that benefits all Malaysians. – March 26, 2020.