In the Dewan Rakyat session today (17 November), Pandan MP and former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, stated her opinions regarding the 2021 budget.
She started by saying that the majority of the nation’s finances should be for the rakyat to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. For that, she suggested that lawmakers with positions in government-linked companies (GLC) or government-linked investment companies (GLIC) should take a 50 per cent pay cut and this money should be channelled into the Covid-19 fund.
Not only that, the Prime Minister, senior ministers and deputy ministers should take a 10 per cent pay cut as well.
She also suggested that the government should form a bipartisan committee to monitor policies, spending and administrative aspect related to Covid-19 which should function until the pandemic is officially declared over.
“Allocation for frontliners is not comprehensive and some of them even complain that the procedure to claim overtime is so difficult adding onto their already heavy workload.”
The former minister also said that frontliners who are still under contract should be made into permanent staffs owing to the work they do. Families of frontliners should also be getting some sort of incentive. These steps not only show validation for their efforts but also reduces their worry for their family.
Wan Azizah reminded that SOPs for CMCO, EMCO and such should be standardized and not be changed every time which in turn will only confuse the people. Her suggestion for salary cuts was met with support from many of the MPs.
What do you think of this suggestion by the former minister? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Finance Minister: No Salaries For Frontliners & Civil Servants If Budget 2021 Not Approved
