PM sticks with decision to forego salary until economy fully recovers
CYBERJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains steadfast in his decision not to take his salary for the positions he has held since November 2022 as long as the country’s economy has not fully recovered.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that the same stance is held by the Cabinet ministers regarding the 20 per cent salary cut each month.
Speaking at a press conference at the conclusion of the two-day Cabinet retreat here yesterday, he said that this decision would be upheld by the government until the country’s economy fully rebounds.
“So far, I announce that I do not take a salary and there is a 20 per cent deduction for others (Cabinet ministers) as long as the economy has not fully recovered. And now there is a change (in the economy), but it is not possible yet (to take the salary),” he said.
In his first press conference as Prime Minister on Nov 24, 2022, Anwar said that he would not take a salary for his positions as Prime Minister and Finance Minister, describing it as the first step to gain the people’s confidence in his leadership.
On a separate matter, Anwar said the Treasury has started disbursing funds for projects under Budget 2024 to various agencies this month.
“The fast disbursement is meant to accelerate the projects without having to wait longer for continuous project implementation,” he said.
Commenting on the country’s economic outlook for 2024, the prime minister said the utmost priority was political stability, followed by the clarity of policies.