His Cabinet Will Ramping And The Minister's Salaries Are Smaller, PM Anwar Ibrahim: People's Priority

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will announce a slimmer cabinet with a lower salary, compared to the previous administration.

PM Anwar explained that the proposed reduction in ministerial salaries and reduction of cabinet ministers are being discussed.

"The Cabinet's size will definitely be smaller and I ask the new ministers to approve my proposal to reduce their salaries," he said at his inaugural press conference Friday, citing The Star November 25.

"This is still in the process of discussion and preparation," he continued.

Not saying he would take a salary, like a campaign promise, PM Anwar Ibrahim said his top priority was overcoming rising costs of life.

"For now, I think the priority must be given to the cost of living and the increase in the price of goods that burden the people," he said.

According to PM Anwar, his party has ordered government agencies to immediately take steps and hold a meeting no later than next Monday.

"I believe, the main task of our work is to ease the burden on the people," he added.

On that occasion he also announced that the Sabah People's Association (GRS) officially joined the unity government.

PM Anwar said the Chairman of the Sabah Datuk Minister, Seri Haji Noor, had notified the GRS decision to join the unity government. According to Anwar, this will give the government a new unity of two-thirds of parliament.

"This shows that we have surpassed the two-thirds of the support of lawmakers who will boost political stability," he explained.

"We can focus on efforts to enforce the country and strengthen the economy," he said.