Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has announced on Monday some government cost cutting measures to save public spending amounting to RM2 billion anually, which include freezing of paid leave for Cabinet members, aspects on travels for ministers, deputy ministers, government officers abroad, prohibiting renovation works on offices, postponement in asset purchases and the holding of official functions etc. [Bernama]
The measurements include a 10% reduction on entertainment allowance and restrictions on paid vacation for ministers and deputy ministers, which would be limited to the Asean region only and the duration should not exceed one week. Previously, the paid vacation is borne by the government to any destination once a year.
It’s a step forward for the government to cut wasteful spending, kudos for that… but they could really try a bit harder. 10% cut on the entertainment allowances mean nothing much; the ministers (and deputies) will still get a decent allowance to spend on I-don’t-know-what entertainment purposes.
Besides, why should we pay for their overseas vacation when we can’t afford to bring our family for overseas holidays? It’s not like the ministers are not getting paid… their monthly salary is higher than 70% (probably close to 90) of the Malaysians for goodness sake.
The paid vacation should be scrapped completely; and unless there is a good reason for the entertainment allowance, it should be scrapped as well. There are probably some other dubious expenses not mentioned in the plan… and there are definitely rooms for further improvements.
If the government has the determination to cut the petrol subsidy and forced the people to change our lifestyle, at least show their own determination to make a strong cut. It’s a good start, but not good enough.
cut their d-ick off better.
New Cabinet:
Prime Minister - Anwar
Deputy Prime Minister - Lim Kit Siang
Culture Minister - Farish Noor
Defence Minister -
Education Minister - Nga Kor Ming
Environment Minister - Teresa Kok
Finance Minister - Tony Pua
Foreign Minister - Ramasamy
Health Minister - Tan Seng Giaw
Home Minister -
Information Minister - Jeff Ooi
Law Minister - Teng Chang Khim
Manpower Minister -
Sports Minister -
Technology Minister -
Trade Minister - Khalid
Transport Minister - Liew Chin Tong
(Penang Chief Minister - Lim Guan Eng)
you mean we are paying for the minister’s oversea vacation every year?? what a shame to spend the rakyat’s money like that!!! agree on what you said “why should we pay for their overseas vacation when we can’t afford to bring our family for overseas holidays?” money suckers!!!
Though I agree that there is still much room for further cost saving cutbacks, I also happen to think that any drastic reduction in out MP’s allowance will only encourage them to make ‘under-the-table’ deals!
My biggest grouse is that no firm action is being taken to combat corruption - imho the number 1 source of wastage of our funds. The move to revamp the ACA into the MACA is just all a show.
aston… so, that’s as good as Pakatan Rakyat can get?
Jasraj… those who corrupts will corrupt regardless of their salaries or allowances; it’s a matter of dignity.
Fighting corruption has to start from top to bottom… Pak Lah himself is involved in numerous dubious cases that he provides no explanations. It’s a long way to fight corruption if Pak Lah is still at helm.