Malaysian ministers agree to take 20 per cent pay cut - PM Anwar

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's new Cabinet has agreed to cut the monthly salary of ministers by 20 per cent, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He said this decision reflected the Cabinet members’ concern for the problems faced by the people now. Anwar said the salary cut would remain in effect until the country’s economy had recovered. “If the economy recovers in three years’ time, we will review … this salary cut is appropriate, but I would like to thank them (ministers) for their willingness to make a bit of sacrifice. “Some people say Anwar is willing to forgo the Prime Minister’s salary because he is getting the Finance Minister’s pay. That is not correct … there is only one salary,” he said in a press conference after chairing the first special Cabinet meeting of the Unity Government here Monday. On criticism by certain quarters on his Cabinet line-up, Anwar said he believes and trusts that his Cabinet team is determined to ensure they follow strict rules and the principle of good governance. “We are determined; I made it very clear and the ministers are very clear. On the issue of good governance and anti-corruption drive, there is no compromise,” he said. He said it was interesting that those who had been harping on the kleptocracy issue were themselves very much compromised in big dealings which benefited their sons, children and in-laws. "I must remind them that if you really want to get to the bottom of it, you must be prepared to be truly transparent and be truly investigated. Investigations cannot be selective and that is our position,” said Anwar. Anwar said good policies which were implemented by the previous government would be continued by the Unity Government. “Good agreements, contracts, no problem, we will follow … this government will continue with the existing system. It’s just that we will be firmer in making changes. “If it is clear that tenders worth tens of billions did not follow procurement (procedure) or if projects costing tens or hundreds of billions were approved without following process, we definitely have to review. This is not my money; it is the people’s money,” he said. On the appointment of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar said people have the right to question but his appointment was made based on various factors. "He has been charged but not convicted yet, and we have to respect the process. Incidentally, he is the UMNO president and Barisan Nasional chairman and in this unity government I need to consider all these factors. "I simply find it hard to understand. Those harping on the issue of corruption must be clean. They should not speak out against corruption but then take projects worth hundreds of millions,” he said. The appointment of new Cabinet members was announced Friday by Anwar who also took the portfolio of Finance Minister. The cabinet representation consisted of the members from the parties that made up the unity government including the biggest blocks after Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) - Barisan Nasional (BN) and the GPS from Sarawak. Anwar, 75, was named Malaysia’s 10th prime minister by the Malaysian King after five days of political impasse over a hung Parliament that resulted from the 15th General Election on Nov 19. -- BERNAMA