Calling it a new culture to be practised by all, he said wastage must be avoided in his administration “because every ringgit counts”.

“Think of what you can save – RM100, RM1000, RM10,000 – which can be returned to the poor. I started with a commitment not to take a salary, but what’s important is not to waste what funds we have,” he said.

“This is a message to all department leaders to remember that in the current situation we should start a new culture. Don’t use government money for our own facilities,” he said.

Anwar who was met by reporters after a thanksgiving ceremony at the Ashabus Solihin mosque in Sungai Long, Kajang, said all government money would be used in the best way to avoid the wastage that had often happened in previous governments.

He said he would hold a meeting with government departments and agencies in Putrajaya tomorrow that would focus on lowering the rising cost of living. He is scheduled to attend a special meeting of the National Action Council on Cost of Living.

Anwar had previously announced that tackling the cost of living would be his first priority. He has also stated that he would not accept the prime minister’s salary and would only accept the allowance paid to MPs. Anwar is MP for Tambun.