Priority to settle national debts in 2024 

KUCHING: The priority of the government for 2024 should be to pay off national debts, said Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan.

He said the issue of national debt is of great urgency as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in early January 2023 that national debt, including liabilities has reached RM1.5 trillion.

He also expressed concern over the apparent lack of improvement in addressing the debt issue through the strategies implemented by the unity government under Anwar’s leadership.

“His policy to continue having salary cut for ministers and with himself not taking any salary as prime minister is applauded, but this is not enough to help pay debts and to spur the economy,” he said in a statement today.

He further asserted that the Prime Minister should file a motion in Parliament to seek all Members of Parliament to agree to a salary cut until the economy recovers.

“Likewise, all state governments should also seek the cooperation and agreement of all cabinet ministers and state assemblymen for a salary and allowance cut to help pay national debts.

“Malaysia needs to pay her debts urgently as interests on unpaid debts can keep debts increasing,” he added.

Moreover, he said the government should not entertain requests for salary revisions from government servants or by their unions.

“At the moment, salaries of many categories of government officers are very high and should be enough for their families.

“Many of them have too many privileges such as free cars and hand phone allowances and these should be cut,” he said.

Voon also urged the government to adopt austerity measures and reconsider mega projects to redirect funds towards the priority of reducing the national debt.