KUCHING, June 9: Independent Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei supports Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) initiative to donate to the Sarawak Disaster Fund by giving up 10 per cent of his monthly salary until the expiry of this Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
In a statement today, he revealed his decision to be part of the initiative.
“Following the Sarawak Government’s announcement to have all the fixed allowances of cabinet members, DUN (Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak or Sarawak Legislative Assembly) speaker, Assistant Ministers, GPS ADUNs (assemblymen) and political secretaries to be deducted as contribution for State Disaster Fund, I hereby announce that I am also willing to participate in the good deed.
“As such I had, today, written to the Secretary of Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak to convey my willingness for my ADUN allowance to be deducted 10 per cent for two months as contribution for the State Disaster Fund,” said Wong.
Wong applauded the initiative by the State government and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as he saw it as a gesture of willingness of those in power to stand together with the people during this present time of hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is the time for all of us, regardless of political divide (sic), to stand together to overcome this Covid-19 pandemic. Criticism will in no way help the situation, but constructive suggestions and helping hands will,” said Wong.
“I see the only way out from this pandemic is to accelerate the process of vaccination. I am pleased to see the effort of the Sarawak Government to buy vaccines on our own and to continue to increase the daily vaccination volume. Sarawak now has recorded about 250,000 people being vaccinated, third highest in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Selangor,” noted Wong.
On June 4, 2021, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in a statement announced that Sarawak cabinet ministers, assemblymen and political secretaries will contribute two months worth of their salaries and allowances, starting this month (June), to the Sarawak State Disaster Fund.
Abang Johari said the total contribution (from cabinet ministers, assemblymen and political secretaries) is estimated to be about RM3 million.
He believed that this step showed the GPS government’s earnest and continuous commitment in assisting people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The percentage of deductions of monthly salaries for cabinet ministers starting June are 30 per cent for chief minister, 25 per cent for deputy chief ministers, 20 per cent for ministers and the DUN speaker and 15 per cent for assistant ministers until they meet the commitment of two months’ worth of salaries.
As for DUN members and political secretaries, their allowances will be deducted by 10 per cent and five per cent respectively, also starting this month, until they meet the commitment of two months’ worth of salary. — DayakDaily
