Joining The Cabinet Meeting, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim: Men's Salariescut 20 Percent Until The Economy Recovered

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gave a press statement after the inaugural cabinet meeting. (Twitter/@anwaribrahim)

JAKARTA - Cabinet ministers at the Malaysian unity government have agreed to cut their monthly salary by 20 percent, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said after chairing his cabinet inaugural meeting on Monday.

In a press statement at the prime minister's office, Anwar Ibrahim said the ministers agreed to cut salaries out of concern over the problems facing the public.

"This is until the economy recovers. If the economy recovers in three years, we will review this. The salary cuts are not appropriate, but I am grateful for their willingness to sacrifice a little," said PM Anwar Ibrahim, launching CNA December 5.

There are some people who say Anwar doesn't take the prime minister's salary, he will take the finance minister's salary. That's not true. There is only one salary," he said.

PM Anwar, who is also the finance minister, was flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof and Chief Secretary of Government Mohd ZUki Ali during a press conference.

During the recent general election campaign, PM Anwar promised not to take his salary, in solidarity with the suffering of the people.

The composition of the Cabinet, which consists of 28 ministers, was inaugurated last Friday. It was slimmer than the previous Cabinet, as PM Anwar had previously explained his intention to shrink the team. He also said he would remove the appointment of cabinet ministers as a form of appreciation.

It is known that the cabinet led by former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has 31 ministers and 38 deputies. Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has 32 ministers and 38 deputies.

Mempengerusikan Mesyuarat Kabinet Pertama Kerajaan Perpaduan di Putrajaya hari ini.Jemaah menteri bersetuju sebulat suara kepada pemotongan sebanyak 20% gaji selama mana ekonomi terus lembab dan merosot, dan ini merupakan ikrar saya saat berkempen pada PRU15. pic.twitter.com/320xHapJ2R

— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) December 5, 2022