Pay cut for ministers won’t solve rising cost of living, Mahdzir says

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 25 Jun 2022 11:14PM · 3 Comments

Rural Development Minister Mahdzir Khalid says a proposal for ministers to take a pay and allowance cut is not a solution that will help the people deal with the rising cost of living now. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 25, 2022.

A PROPOSAL for ministers to take a pay and allowance cut is not a solution that will help the people deal with the rising cost of living now, Rural Development Minister Mahdzir Khalid said.

Instead, he said the situation should be addressed with more effective methods, including those announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday regarding electricity tariffs and chicken prices.

“The prime minister and his team in the cabinet have put in a lot of effort, especially ministers who are directly involved with the economy and the prices of goods as well as those related to the economy, commerce, agriculture and public works.

“They meet twice weekly to discuss ways and find solutions, like the one the prime minister announced yesterday on no increase in electricity tariffs and the decision not to float the price of chicken,” he said to reporters after officiating at the Sekolah  Kebangsaan Tualak Parents and Teachers Association in Kuala Nerang today.

He was asked to comment on a suggestion by former international trade and industry minister Rafidah Aziz, who proposed a cut in the minister’s salary to show empathy for the people who are now struggling with the economic crisis because of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He also said maintaining the price of RON95 at RM2.05 per litre is also a measure to help the people cope with the rising cost of living.

He encouraged those with ideas that can help the people deal with the issue to forward them to the government and the prime ,inister.

“We don’t know what Rafidah meant about the salary cut, whether she really meant it or was just being sarcastic,” he said.

“She is a veteran, a person who should give good advice on what can be done. If she has an idea, she should meet the prime minister and tell him her ideas,” he added. – Bernama, June 25, 2022.

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Comments

  • TS Rafidah proven right. Our ministers are seriously lacking empathy. The culture of entitlement synonyms with their life.

    I am minister so I am entitled to be paid big bucks. Peduli rakyat. Just wonder whether these ministers fully aware that theirs salaries are paid by the rakyat thru the income tax?

    As long as these ministers don't suffer, they could not care less about our suffering.

    Posted 1 year ago by DENGKI KE? · Reply

  • Pay cut for civil servants help money saved to be channeled to productive activities such as farming. Now the ever bloating civil service is floating on the hard work of the masses

    Posted 1 year ago by The Rover · Reply

  • People are suffering and the ministers still want to collect their fat pay. Show some solidarity w the people by cutting 20% of your pay. Simple.

    Posted 1 year ago by Elyse Gim · Reply