KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s altruistic decision to decline a salary since his appointment in November 2022 has resulted in substantial savings for Putrajaya, exceeding RM20,000 each month.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa highlighted that the government’s monthly expenditure experienced a notable reduction of RM22,826.65 due to Anwar’s principled stance.
“Soon after the new government’s formation, the unity government took initial measures of saving, where (Anwar) announced he would take a salary as the prime minister.
“Throughout (Anwar’s) service period since his appointment in November 2022, the government saved an estimated RM22,826.65 per month in government expenditure,” she said in a parliamentary written reply today.
Zaliha addressed a question posed by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN), seeking information on the amount saved by the government as a result of Anwar’s refusal to accept a salary during his tenure as prime minister.
In December 2022, Anwar publicly declared his intention to abstain from receiving any salary for his roles as prime minister and finance minister.
Additionally, other ministers in the cabinet voluntarily accepted a 20% reduction in their salaries until the nation’s economy rebounds.
The salary figure has remained consistent since 2016, as indicated by a fact sheet from the Centre for Public Policy Studies in the same year. – March 13, 2024