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Malaysians voice displeasure for spending RM 1.74 million on Prime Minister’s special envoys
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has revealed that RM 1.74 million was spent on the staff accorded to each of the Prime Minister’s special envoys.
During the Parliament session, MP Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir asked Ismail Sabri about the overall cost of the ministerial-level appointments for the year 2020 and 2021.
The PM replied with a breakdown of the funds used for the special convoys which included a senior private secretary, special officer, private secretary, office secretary and a driver.
Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (Middle East), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (China), and Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) are currently the special envoys in office.
In the breakdown, a Grade 54 senior private secretary is paid RM13,251 and an allowance of RM2,000.
A Grade 52 special officer is paid a maximum monthly salary of RM12,444 and an allowance of RM1,600.
A private secretary between grades 41 and 44 receives an estimated monthly salary of RM10,406 and an allowance of RM1,100.
An office secretary receives a monthly salary of RM3,256 and an allowance of RM810.
A driver receives a monthly basic salary of RM2,939 and an allowance of RM745.
The total sum of the salary expenses monthly is RM 145,653 and RM 1.74 million per year.
Malaysians on social media were not too happy over the disclosure as the spending seem excessive.
Benny Foo on Facebook wrote taxpayers are paying through their noses whilst the government is happily spending like no tomorrow.
He added that the rakyat is just tired of their inconsiderate attitude.
“Ironically, the rakyat has to pay taxes with no excuses but politicians can appeal and skip paying their taxes. Do they truly serve the people,” he pondered.
Charmaine Chee questioned with all the money spent, what are their key performance index (KPI) and return of investment (ROI) that benefits the country.
She proposed that the cabinet ministers should post their plans, KPI and status updates for the rakyat on a website.
She believed it would inform the people of the initiatives and benefits that have been yielded.
A special envoy is an individual appointed by the Prime Minister to strengthen ties between Malaysia and a particular state or region.
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
