New Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah announces a RM3,000 monthly salary cut and proposes RM1,500 deductions for new Exco members
KANGAR: Newly appointed Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah (pic) has announced a RM3,000 monthly salary cut to reduce the state government’s financial burden.
Abu Bakar, who is also Kuala Perlis assemblyman, said the measure would also apply to new State Executive Council (Exco) members following an impending reshuffle.
“For the new Exco members later, I will also advise them to make a RM1,500 deduction,” he told reporters after clocking in at the Menteri Besar’s Office at Kompleks Seri Putra.
He said he was making the cut willingly so people could see the sacrifices leaders are prepared to make to develop the state.
Abu Bakar was sworn in before the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail at Istana Arau on Saturday.
On appointing new Exco members, he said discussions would first be held with the State Secretary before submitting proposed names to Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
He said the number of appointments would consider the state’s budget and the need to maintain balance between PAS and Bersatu within the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
“We want to restore balance within the existing leadership between the two parties so that the administration and Exco appointments can be properly coordinated,” he said.
Existing Exco members will act as caretakers for any official functions in the interim.
Abu Bakar said his administration would be guided by the 3B concept — Bangkit (Rise), Bingkas (Act Swiftly) and Buat (Deliver) — to ensure Perlis progresses.
He expressed confidence that with concerted efforts, development for the state can be achieved despite its limited revenue.
“The 3B concept focuses on rising, acting swiftly and delivering,” he said.
