By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 4: Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah is on board with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s proposal to implement a seven month salary cut affecting the State Cabinet members and assemblymen beginning this month (June).
The Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said the salary cut would be channeled into the Sarawak Disaster Fund as the State continues to fight Covid-19 pandemic.
“Such measure symbolised the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s seriousness and commitment in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is also a manifestation of togetherness with the people in these very difficult and challenging times,” she said in a statement today.
She said the idea was proposed by Abang Johari during their State Cabinet meeting this morning.
“State ministers, assemblymen, political secretaries and civil servants would contribute to the Disaster Fund according to the agreed rate during the meeting.
“For ministers, assemblymen and political secretaries, the rate of seven-month salary cut is equivalent to two months salary contribution,” Fatimah explained.
However, she stressed that the salary cut implementation would not include frontliners as a recognition of their hard work and sacrifices at the risk of their health in containing and mitigating the spread of the virus, looking after the sick as well as providing food to those on duty, Covid-19 patients at the Low-Risk Treatment Centres (PKRCs), quarantine centres and lockdown areas.
“Thus, there must be a very clear definition on who should be in the list of frontliners (to be exempted from the salary cut),” she emphasised.
On the same day, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) issued a statement to confirm the salary cut implementation.
The Chief Minister would have 30 per cent of his salary cut for the next seven months starting this month (June).
Meanwhile, the rate for the deputy chief ministers is 25 per cent cut, followed by ministers and State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker (20 per cent), assistant ministers (15 per cent), GPS assemblymen (10 per cent) and political secretaries (five per cent).
The State civil servants on the other hand would also contribute a certain amount of their Fixed Entertainment Allowance (ITK) for July and August. This involves about 7,000 civil servants in the State. — DayakDaily
