Kuala Lumpur: Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Prime Minister nominee Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promised to take a pay cut if he wins the mandate to govern Malaysia in the 15th general election (GE15).
He also said he will trim the size of his Cabinet and cut their salaries as well.
“I am willing to undertake this and it is not impossible. If we want Anwar to become the Prime Minister, the Cabinet must be reduced, the salaries of the Prime Minister and Ministers must also be reduced as we must set a good example.
“Let me give you a guarantee. On November 20, if I become the Prime Minister, the first thing I will do is cut my salary and allowance,” Anwar was quoted by Harian Metro as telling a crowd at the coalition’s convention in Ipoh Thursday night.
He indicated that the Cabinet did not have to be big to be efficient, especially given the current economic hardships in the country.
“With the current economic situation, I am not willing to take a salary for now. We have to put forward leaders who care for the people,” he was quoted as saying.
Caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob from Umno had a Cabinet of 31 while his predecessor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin from Bersatu had a Cabinet of 32.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had 28 Ministers in his Cabinet when PH won the mandate in 2018.
Meanwhile, Anwar said he has no qualms about meeting former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to discuss political cooperation for the GE15.
Anwar said PH’s emphasis was on fighting Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“Can meet and discuss but as I have always stressed, we need to fight PN or BN on the basis of rejecting corruption, racial (politics) and extremism. If that is the request, I have no problems,” he said.
Media reports Friday quoted Dr Mahathir, who is Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) pro tem chairman, as saying that he was prepared to meet Anwar for talks on cooperation to face GE15.
Anwar also said his decision to contest the Tambun parliamentary seat was part of PH’s move to capture Perak in GE15.
Asked on Tun Musa Hitam’s view that he is one of those qualified to lead the country, Anwar said he is grateful for the former Deputy Prime Minister’s statement.
“Tun Musa’s statement is helpful. He is qualified and has exposure at the international level. I would like to thank Tun Musa,” he said.
Musa was reported to have said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Anwar were capable of leading the country.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.