A PENANG rep today recommended cutting the salaries and allowances of the chief minister and all state executive councillors as a saving measure in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin said the move was also an alternative to the use of the state’s reserves to finance the projected deficit of RM403.8 million in the 2021 Budget.

He said the use of the accumulated savings to finance the budget deficit was a bad trend if the pandemic and economic challenges lasted until 2021 and 2022.

“Saving measures should be sought to enable this excess expenditure to be borne but the use of the remaining savings of RM1.07 billion as of 2018 is an unhealthy move,” he said during the debate session on the Supply Bill and Estimated Development Expenditure for 2021 at the state assembly sitting today.

The state government is also urged to take different approaches, including obtaining loans from financial institutions or cooperating with the federal government in ensuring state finances remain stable and strong in the face of the pandemic.

“For financing mega projects such as the Penang South Reclamation project for example, can be offered to government-linked companies such as the Employees Provident Fund, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, Retirement Fund (Incorporated) and Investment Properties Limited.

“These efforts will also indirectly increase domestic investment,” he said.

Afif also said the Perikatan Nasional overnment has never sidelined the Penang government as alleged by some parties, but the government, under the leadership of Muhyiddin Yassin has approved a RM2.95 billion allocation for the state.

He said the allocation through the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package and the National Economic Regeneration Plan as announced by Putrajaya had before this benefited more than 600,000 Penangites.

“Therefore do not be angry if one or two big projects in the state are delayed because what the people need right now is how to find income, continue businesses and send their children to school,” he said.

The sitting continues tomorrow. – Bernama, October 14, 2020.