PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today revealed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has not taken the royal allowance since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
"When we mentioned about pay cut among cabinet ministers and I will not take a salary as prime minister, I would like to announce that the King has not taken his royal allowance since the Covid-19 pandemic, earlier than me.
"The King has not taken his royal allowance from the government since the Covid-19 pandemic.
"(And) I should explain that (not taking the royal allowance) is the King's contribution, given the current economic situation that oppresses the people," he told a press conference after the cabinet meeting today.
On Dec 5, Anwar said the cabinet members of the unity government had agreed to take a 20 per cent pay cut from their monthly salary.
During his first press conference after being sworn in as the country's 10th prime minister, the Tambun member of parliament reiterated that he would not take his salary as the premier.