PANDAN MP Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is the latest federal lawmaker to call for a pay cut for the prime minister and his cabinet and the savings channelled to the Covid-19 Fund.

While debating Budget 2021 today, the former deputy prime minister also suggested that those sitting on the boards of government-linked companies donate half their fees and allowances to the fund.

“I propose that the allowances and fees of MPs chairing GLCs be reduced by 50% and the other half donated as corporate social responsibility to Tabung Covid-19 because these MPs already receive a salary,” she said.

“To show leadership by example, the salaries of the prime minister, senior ministers, ministers and deputy ministers should also be cut by 10%.”

Last week, Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad proposed that the ministers take a 30% salary reduction.

“I don’t think they will starve if their salary gets deducted,” the Langkawi MP said while debating the budget bill.

Last May, the cabinet agreed to contribute 10% of two months’ wages to the Covid-19 fund.

While debating the budget, Wan Azizah pointed at the allocation to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry which she said was disproportionately small.

“It received only RM2.6 billion, less than 1% of the RM322.5 billion budget. There is no significant increase in the allocation to the ministry compared to the 2020 budget.

“This is not fair. Malaysia has 15.9 million women – that’s 48.5% of the population of Malaysia. Half the population is made up of women.” – November 17, 2020.