Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today proposed that people earning high salaries in the government or private sector should forgo 10 per cent of their salaries to help the poor during this COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the money should be used to provide food to the unemployed and those without income.
“It is a sacrifice but I don’t think it would hurt them if there is a reasonable cut-off point, say RM20,000 p.m (per month).
“This pandemic is affecting the poor the most. Those who have lost their jobs and the small traders have no income at all. They earn today for today. If they don’t then they will have no money to buy food even. They will starve.
“On the other hand, those who are paid high salaries continue to earn more than their daily needs. Of course, those who are paid high salaries, such as airline staff and business executives who may also lose their jobs,” he said in his blog at http://chedet.cc today in response to the tabling of Budget 2021 last Friday.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir also expressed hope it would be modified in order to become more realistic and people including politicians can support it.
“While the economic situation requires more money to be spent by the government, the pandemic also affects the revenue for the government.
“The budget is for the Year 2021. The expectation of economic recovery is too optimistic,” he said.
Last Friday, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, tabled the 2021 Budget with an allocation of RM322.5 billion, the highest in the country’s history in facing the various challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
POTONG GAJI
Saya sanggup pencen saya dipotong sebanyak 10% asalkan ia diguna untuk mengurangkan beban mereka yang sudah hilang pendapatan sama sekali. Saya akui kehidupan saya tidak sedikit pun terjejas kerana lockdown dan SOP yang saya terpaksa amalkan. pic.twitter.com/SKsFlk4mEV
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) November 10, 2020
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) November 10, 2020
“SALARY DEDUCTION
1. Yesterday, I have stated my agreement on the idea to deduct the ministers’ salary.
2. Every time I am assigned as the Prime Minister, my main goal is to deduct the salary for the Deputy Prime Minister, Supreme Government Officers and myself as much as 10%. There were no economical problems during that time.
3. Now, my salary has increased much more than before. While many are gaining losses financially, those who are in the government sectors do not face any difficulties. There is also no salary decline in the private sectors.
4. To lessen the gap between the fortunate and the unfortunate, the decision to cut down 10% of the salaries of the fortunate to give to the unfortunate is truly acceptable.
5. I will accept my salary being cut down to as much as 10% as long as it is used to aid those who loss their income. I admit that my life has not been affected by the lockdown and SOP that I am forced to adhere.”
Source: Bernama, Twitter Che Det
