Serve for free to truly signify love for country, don calls on MPs

The USIM academician says with all payments combined, a parliamentarian’s income may reach up to RM40,000 a month, a figure previously mentioned by the Prime Minister. — Bernama photoKUCHING (March 16): Politicians, particularly members of Parliament (MPs), who claim to love their country and the people, should serve for free instead of receiving monthly allowances up to RM40,000 a month.In calling for this, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)’s Faculty of Syariah and Law associate professor Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow opines that there is no need for these politicians to be given any salary, allowances or pension.

“Politicians always claim that they love the country and the people.“The time has come for all politicians to serve the country and the people that they love and cherish so much, for free – without salary, allowances and pension,” said the academician in a statement yesterday.Muzaffar Syah noted that a recent statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had said that MPs were earning between RM30,000 and RM40,000 a month, including a fixed monthly allowance of RM25,700.



He said MPs were also entitled to allowances of RM400 per day for attending parliamentary sittings, RM300 per day for attending Public Accounts Committee (PAC) or Special Select Committee meetings when there was no Parliament sitting, as well as a RM250 per day for PAC meetings during Parliament sitting.“At the same time, they are also eligible for RM300 per day for attending official briefings, RM100 per day as daily subsistence allowance when attending Parliament sitting or on official duties beyond 32km from their residences, as well as travel and accommodation claims,” he added.The academic went on to say that MPs could claim a meal allowance of RM340 per night and a daily subsistence allowance of RM170, along with accommodation and transport claims, for official duties abroad.

“They are also entitled to claim foreign currency exchange losses and tips equivalent to 25 per cent of the meal allowance.“With all these payments combined, an MP’s income could reach up to RM40,000 a month, a figure previously mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.”Muzaffar Syah said politicians, particularly the MPs, had always told the people that they were willing to do everything, including sacrifices, for the sake of the country and the people.

“As such, the best way to prove this is to serve the country and its people for free, without hoping for salary, allowances or pension.“By so doing, the government can save such expenditure and use the money for other matters that require urgent attention, including the improvement of infrastructure and facilities of the educational and health sectors.“There are many public schools, public institutions of higher learning institutions as well as public clinics and public hospitals in the country that need financial assistance in order to improve their services to the people.

“Instead of allocating money for politicians’ salary, allowances and pension, we should channel all the money to improving all our educational and health facilities that are in dire state,” added Muzaffar Syah.Facebook Messenger Twitter WhatsAppEmailPrintThe post Serve for free to truly signify love for country, don calls on MPs appeared first on Borneo Post Online..