“With Your Majesty’s consent, it boosts my spirit as well as that of the ordinary rakyat to help lessen the burden of the federal government’s debt caused by past scandals,” Lim said in a letter addressed to the Agong today.
Yesterday, Sultan Muhammad V decreed that his salary and emolument payments be reduced by 10% until the end of his term in 2021.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the king was concerned over the national debt and the country’s economic situation.
“His Majesty is extremely moved and expresses appreciation to Malaysians who have generously contributed to the Tabung Harapan that was recently established by the government,” said a statement from the palace.
Sultan Muhammad V also ordered Istana Negara not to hold its usual Hari Raya open house this year, saying the money was better spent on those in need.
Putrajaya has set up a special fund to allow the public to help pay off federal debts, which it said amounted to some RM1 trillion.
The fund, launched on May 30, has so far collected more than RM55 million.