PM Tokkok

Tuesday June 10, 2008
Cost-cutting to save RM2bil
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS and SIM LEOI LEOI


PM announces government cost cutting measures

PUTRAJAYA: The entertainment allowances of ministers and deputy ministers will be slashed and their paid holidays will now be limited to local and Asean destinations.

These as well as several other steps, including a freeze on new government posts and assets purchase, would save the Government RM2bil.

The slashing of allowances and limitation on paid holidays take effect on July 1. Even the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister will not be spared this new ruling.

The Prime Minister currently enjoys a monthly entertainment allowance of RM18,865 while his deputy gets RM15,015. Other ministers and deputy ministers are given RM12,320 and RM6,000 respectively.
(Isn't it true that VVIPs usually get entertained by others instead of the other way around? Who do they need to entertain anyway? Chicks?)

For the paid holidays, Cabinet members will not be allowed to claim for more than a week’s holiday.
(What? Don't tell me they have been abusing it all these while?)

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said these measures “will not be the first or the last; many other announcements will be made by the Government”.
(Good! they better be something more meaningful next time!)

“The savings will be channelled to subsidies for low-income groups,” he said after chairing the first National Inflation Council meeting at his office here yesterday.
(Where else do you think they should be channeled to? "Foundation of Poor Minister's Wife"?)

“We are sensitive to the hardship faced by the people as a result of the recent increase in fuel prices.
(Errr.... ???)

Everybody will have to be thrifty in these difficult times, including the Government.”
(Did you only realised it now? Isn't this what you should be doing with hard earned tax payer's money all these time? Duhh.... ! )

Besides the freeze on new government posts and the purchase of assets like cars, furniture and computers, other measures to be taken are limiting the number of workshops, seminars and conferences held at hotels and postponing all renovation works for government offices.
(Good! One thing though... you can actually save more money in the long-run by replacing those deadwoods in the office with more computers. Then again, computers can't vote in Elections. Tough!)

The Government will also cut down on the number of functions like the opening of offices, prize-presentations as well as disallow attire specifically made for an event.

“There is no point for a special outfit because it’s wasteful.
(You know what? You are a real genius!)

“In line with this, a 10% cut will be imposed on expenses within departments.

Much of the cut will involve....

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/10/nation/21503751&sec=nation