Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, along with all federal ministers and their deputies are putting their money where their mouth is by taking a pay cut for two months, with the savings from that to be donated to  Putrajaya’s Covid-19 Fund.

In a statement from the Prime Ministers Office, 32 members of cabinet and 38 deputy ministers will have their pay automatically deducted and channelled to the fund. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting today as a demonstration of the government’s sincerity in helping those affected by the pandemic.

“The Covid-19 fund was launched on March 11 as a government effort to assist the people who have been affected by the pandemic.

“As of yesterday (March 25), the total of contribution collected including government grants stands at RM8,493,103.48,” Reads the PMO’s statement.

The announcement comes as Malaysia intensifies its battle against the Covid-19 virus and also happens to show that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin walks the talk. On March 11th, the Malaysian PM said that he is willing to take a pay cut as part of efforts to keep the government’s spending in check, given the current economic situation.

“We know we have to be prudent, but we are facing a (current) situation where national unity is crucial. We need harmony.

“There are costs (that come with it). We will do whatever it takes (to maintain harmony).

“I will take the challenge for my salary to be cut 5 to 10 per cent. I can do it first. (However), we didn’t discuss that today, so don’t preempt.

“We can contribute where we can. Hope we can save some few millions (of ringgit). We can do that,” he told a Press conference after chairing the first Cabinet meeting today.”

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

It’s nice to see that he’s following through with what he says. Here’s to hoping that the situation improves with the extended lockdown.