Tanjong Malim MP Chang Lih Kang said while the move for MPs to take a pay cut during the pandemic would demonstrate “leadership by example”, he did not see how it would help the economy.

Yesterday, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) called on MPs and executives of government-linked companies to take big pay cuts to help finance stimulus measures so that Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors do not have to dig into their savings.

The government had said it would allow EPF contributors to withdraw RM500 a month from their Account 1 for a period of 12 months.

CAP said all MPs should have their pay halved and see their perks “slashed”, which would mean “leadership by example”.

Chang said while MPs could discuss the proposal, it could not be forced upon them “as we do not know the (financial) situation of an MP even though their average salary is high”.

However, he said, he agreed to pay cuts “for those with two or three salaries while being MPs or ministers”.

On pay cuts for GLC executives, Chang said not all of them were high wage earners.

Meanwhile, PPBM’s Sabak Bernam MP Mohd Fasiah Fakeh said he was ready to take a pay cut if there were instructions “from above”.

“We have no problems if there are instructions to take a pay cut. Before this, we had also been helping the people. I have used my own money, too, but we just don’t speak about it, we understand the people need help and support,” he told FMT.

On Tuesday, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad welcomed calls for a pay cut for ministers. He said he himself was willing to have his pension cut by 10% so it can be used for those in need.