KUALA LUMPUR: Netizens frustrated with the rising cost of living and lack of action on the part of the government have called for Malaysia's cabinet ministers to take a pay cut and channel the savings to the people.
The #PotongGajiMenteri hashtag is currently trending on Twitter with many asking for the ministers to empathise with the people's plight and step up in taking at least a 20 per cent salary cut and reduction in allowances.
"The time has come for the prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) to mandate all Cabinet ministers to take a pay cut of 20 per cent," @XavierNaxa wrote on Twitter.
"If I can cut my expenses (till I have just enough money to buy food for my family and I), I bet these ministers can still manage to eat lavishly even if their salary is cut off by 20 per cent. #PotongGajiMenteri," @amiravmvn tweeted.
"Politicians are overpaid and (their pay) needs to be cut. I think we need somebody in there who will make this action happen. Cut the pay down to a teacher's salary. Being a politician should not be a career," @AlineJubilee wrote.
"Also cut unnecessary allowances. #PotongGajiMenteri," @nurathirahj said.
"If the government is truly concerned about the plight of the people, especially the lower- and middle-income groups, it should look at this matter seriously and do away with unnecessary allowances and downsize the bloated cabinet," wrote another.
"#PotongGajiMenteri and the amount of redundant positions in the Cabinet. Allocate the taxpayers' money to the well-being of the actual taxpayers," said @Aphrodite.
Twitter user @kazwan wrote: "People must remember one thing. Technically, they (ministers) work for us. They must listen to us. But they are so hungry for power, they step on us. We vote for them so that they can serve the people but in the end, they choose to ignore their responsibilities. #PotongGajiMenteri."
"#PotongGajiMenteri If they care so much about their people, what's a 20 per cent cut off their salary right?" another questioned.