WITH the monumental debt weighing down on our country, the current government has embarked on a plan to reduce its operating expenditure by at least 5%, the savings of which would be channelled to fund financial and material assistance that is supposed to benefit the people, particularly the poor.

As a result, the government has swung into action by cutting expenses that are normally incurred by senior civil servants, such as flying economy class, booking hotels at the lowest rate possible, and avoiding holding meetings and seminars at local hotels.