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The Malaysian government announced it saved an estimated RM100,000 (S$30,150) a month from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim not taking a salary and his cabinet members taking a 20 per cent pay cut, MalaysiaKini reported.
The savings come to RM1.2 million (S$360,000) a year.
Not taking a salary
This was revealed by cabinet minister Armizan Mohd Ali, in response to a question raised by former Malaysian Youth and Sport Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who asked how much the government saved from ministers' pay cuts and how these savings can benefit the people.
Syed Saddiq is allied with the incumbent governing coalition that includes Anwar's PKR party.
During the recent general election, Anwar announced that he would not be taking a salary as an act of solidarity with people who were struggling with the rising cost of living.
In Dec. 2022, Anwar confirmed he would also not be taking a salary for his role as Finance Minister.
He also announced that his cabinet agreed to take a 20 per cent pay cut until the country's economy recovers.
“As soon as the new government was formed, the unity government had taken early steps of saving by not taking a salary as prime minister as announced by the prime minister himself," Armizan said.
“In addition, the cabinet has also agreed to accept deductions of 20 per cent from their basic salary every month out of concern for the people until the country’s economy recovers."
Eradicating poverty
Last Thursday, (Apr. 13), Anwar assured the public that dealing with the cost of living is still on the country's agenda, New Straits Times reported.
"Moving forward, the government will intensify efforts to monitor and implement the Madani policy and strategies by holding meetings every month," he said in a meeting with the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL).
According to The Star, the Madani policy is a concept coined by Anwar as he sets the country's vision to emphasise on humanity and good values such as just and effective governance.
In a separate statement on Friday, Anwar said he had given the directive to the "entire cabinet and government, chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali that without exception, it's compulsory, obligatory for the issue of poverty to be solved within this year."
He was giving a speech at the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
“In order to reduce poverty among people, I will distribute around RM2 million (S$602,500) to each state including Terengganu, and this excludes the other measures taken," Anwar said.
Anwar also announced that he will donate RM200,000 (S$60,250) to students of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, plus donate 100 Bakul Rahmah care packages to the local authorities.
Top image via Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook.