KUALA LUMPUR – The government has adopted a strategy of ignoring the trivial political tactics employed by the opposition since taking power two years ago, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a light-hearted remark, he added that he might consider accepting the Prime Minister’s salary next year, following repeated criticism from the opposition regarding his decision not to take it.
“When I say I don’t take a salary, I get ridiculed. So perhaps next year, I should start taking it again,” he quipped.
“Strange, isn’t it? We don’t take the (Prime Minister’s) salary, but we receive Parliament allowances. (My wife) Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail) also gets a Parliamentary allowance as the MP for Bandar Tun Razak… when you add them together, it’s okay,” he added during the townhall session of the Dua Tahun Madani Programme (2TM) and the 2024 National Convention on Public Service Reform at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, along with Cabinet ministers and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar has chosen not to draw a salary for his roles as Prime Minister and Finance Minister since taking office in November 2022.
This decision is part of his commitment to solidarity with the public and to address the economic challenges faced by the country.
Anwar has previously stated that he still receives parliamentary allowances, which he combines with his wife’s parliamentary allowance.
Meanwhile, Anwar praised the commitment shown by the public service sector and the political stability that has contributed to the government’s successes since assuming power two years ago.
He noted that this dedication was evident in the government’s firm stance on combating corruption, which had previously been deemed systemic.
“One thing to remember is that this success was made possible by a stable political system. This stability is the result of cooperation among the country’s leadership.
“Many changes have been made, and the effectiveness of these policies is due to the commitment and determination of civil servants who are ready to embrace reforms and changes.
“Let’s not play with issues that could undermine this progress. That’s why I commend the actions of enforcement bodies like the PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police), MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), and LHDN (Inland Revenue Board), who stand firm against practices that harm the nation, such as plundering its wealth. If there are weaknesses, we acknowledge them and strive to improve,” he said. – November 23, 2024