KUCHING, Dec 27: Paying off national debt should be the Federal government’s top priority in 2024, says Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan.
Voon emphasised the urgency to address the issue of national debt, citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement in early January 2023 that the national debt, including liabilities, had reached RM1.5 trillion.
“However, strategies taken by the Unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had not seen things improving much.
“His policy to continue having salary cuts for ministers and with himself not taking any salary as prime minister is applauded, but this is not enough to help pay debt and to spur the economy,” he opined in a statement today.
He went on to say that Malaysia needs to pay its debt as soon as possible because interest on unpaid debt can be mounting.
“The prime minister should file a motion in Parliament to seek all members of parliament (MPs) to agree to a salary cut until the economy recovers.
“Likewise, all state governments should also seek the cooperation and agreement of all cabinet ministers and state assemblymen for a salary and allowance cut to help pay national debt.”
The PBK president further asserted that the government should not entertain requests for salary revisions from government servants or their unions.
He said currently, salaries of various categories of government officers are high and should be enough for their families.
“Many of them have too many privileges such as free cars and hand phone allowances and these should be cut,” said Voon.
Voon also urged the government to implement austerity measures and reconsider megaprojects so that funds may be reallocated to settle national debt. — DayakDaily
