Weeks ago, Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that protests will not solve inflation, a reference to the recently-held #Turun protest in Kuala Lumpur. However, he has something else in mind that he believed served no purpose in combating inflation.
‘Ministers’ pay cut? It won’t work’
The Minister of Multimedia and Communication made it clear yesterday (July 25) that slashing the ministers’ salaries and allowance will not suffice in battling inflation, which most Malaysians are struggling with at the moment.
If you’re among the people that are hell-bent on seeing the cut on ministers’ pay, Annuar Musa has a message for you.
‘Come on, stop playing politics. Focus on the methods that will really solve inflation.’
He was also gracious enough to take some time and came up with an example yesterday in the Parliament.
‘If you’re taking away RM10,000 from all 36 ministers, how much can you get? Can you be sure that it will stop inflation and the surge in prices of goods?’
Annuar expressed his thoughts about the cut in ministers’ wages yesterday in Parliament when he was asked about the matter, where he rhetorically asked the people to name one country that manages to bring down inflation by taking pay cuts.
The #PotongGajiMenteri hashtag has been trending on Twitter recently, with many asking for the ministers to empathise with the people’s struggle and step up by taking at least a 20% cut in their allowances.
Slashing the minister’s wages is also part of a student group’s demand, with two demonstrations that took place over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur.
According to Berita Harian, the ministers in Malaysia earn about RM14,000 per month while vice ministers earn around RM10,000 every month, excluding himself. Prime Minister himself, on the other hand, receives about RM22,000 in monthly wages and the Deputy Prime Minister earns around RM18,000 every month.
Regardless, while the slash in ministers’ salaries will not stop inflation, do you think it will help in softening the blow a little?
Also read: “Gov’t Ministers’ Salaries Should Be Cut 20%,” Says Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz
