Dr M offers pension cut to help those who lost income
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has offered to slash his government pension by 10 percent provided that it is used to help those who lost their source of income.
His statement followed his proposal yesterday to cut the salary of all high-income earners by 10 percent to provide food for the unemployed...
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has offered to slash his government pension by 10 percent provided that it is used to help those who lost their source of income.
His statement followed his proposal yesterday to cut the salary of all high-income earners by 10 percent to provide food for the unemployed.
“I am willing to take a 10 percent cut from my pension as long as it is used to ease the burden of those who have completely lost their source of income.
“I admit that my life is not least bit affected by the lockdown and standard operating procedures that I have to follow,” he said in a statement today.
Under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980, former MPs including former prime ministers are entitled to a pension after completing at least 36 months of service.
The amount depends on the period of service, and the salary received at the time.
In his statement today, Mahathir said it is customary for him to propose a 10 percent pay cut for himself, ministers, deputy ministers, and senior civil servants as his first motion each time he was appointed as prime minister.
“Now, salaries have increased several times more than before. While many have lost their income outright, those on government payroll did not suffer any disadvantage at all. Those in private companies also did not suffer pay cuts.
“To reduce the gap between the fortunate and the unfortunate, cutting 10 percent from those who are spared to give those who suffered is justified,” he said.
