KUCHING, June 4: Salary contribution of ministers, assistant ministers, political secretaries and high ranking government officers to Sarawak disaster fund is nothing but a mere political gimmick, says DAP Sarawak chief Chong Chieng Jen.
He said all Democratic Action Party (DAP) elected representatives have over the past one year given more than 10 per cent of their salaries and allowances to help the people and for the provision of Covid-19 aid to those in need.
“While the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) ADUNs (assemblymen) enjoy their RM5 million yearly allocation and an additional RM200,000 special allocation for giving food aids last year, the DAP ADUNs and MPs were deprived of such fund and have to use part of their monthly salaries and allowances for helping the people.
“As such, the 10 per cent salary contribution as announced by the GPS is merely political gimmicks given that each GPS ADUNs have on top of their salaries, RM5 million allocation at their disposal to implement various projects including giving food aids and assistance,” said Chong in a statement today.
The Stampin MP was responding to the recent announcement that Sarawak cabinet ministers, assistant ministers, elected members of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and political secretaries will contribute two months of their salaries and allowances, starting this month (June), to the Sarawak State Disaster Fund.
The percentage of deductions of monthly salaries for them vary but the deductions will continue until the two months’s salaries pledge is fulfilled.
“We the DAP ADUNs and MPs will continue with our effort and contribute part of our salaries and allowances to help those in need.
“In that respect, for the next three months, all DAP ADUNs and MPs will set aside 20 per cent of our salaries into our Service Centre’s account for specific aid for those in needs.
“This is on top of our monthly committed expenses to maintain our Service Centres’ staff and expenses which are financed mainly from our salaries and allowances, unlike those from the GPS who enjoyed special government funding,” said Chong who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman. — DayakDaily
