Rafizi Discloses Minister Pay Of Rm29k And Rm7k As Mp

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Rafizi Ramli revealed that his take-home pay when he was the economy minister was RM29,556.
The salary and allowances - without any deductions - came up to RM40,653, according to the pay slip for June that he displayed on his "Yang Berhenti Menteri" podcast last night.
Deductions amounting to RM11,097 include his housing allowance (RM4,000) as he lives in government quarters, contributions to his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) totalling RM927, and income tax (RM2,743).
His salary for the same month as an MP was RM16,000, but after a deduction of RM8,378 that goes to his party, PKR, his take-home pay came up to RM7,622.
"Ministers are also MPs, so they get the MP salary with another pay slip. So if you combine the two - just now RM29,000 with RM7,000, (I got) around RM35,000 to RM36,000 a month," the Pandan MP said.
He said he was likely paid less than other lawmakers, particularly those who are menteris besar, who usually get extra pay and allowances from various roles in subsidiaries and committees.
"If they sit as the chairperson of the board of directors, each (position) is combined (with their pay).
"One person might have 10 (positions), another (person) five (positions) - that can increase the (monthly pay) to more than RM100,000.
"And then for MPs, they can make claims. Only I have never claimed (any expenses) all my life.
"Now that I'm poor, I guess I have to claim," he said in jest.
Clean politics
When asked how his pay stacks up to those in the private sector, Rafizi admitted that political service does not pay as well.
But at the same time, it is still much higher than the median wage, which shows that most Malaysians are paid around RM3,000 a month, he added.
"So, for most Malaysians, they feel that a minister's pay of RM30,000 is quite a lot," he said.
Besides that, he expressed his opinion that the culture of clean politics does not start with only a top-down approach.
He said those at the bottom must also stop relying on cash handouts.
"If not, then the pressure to have a thick wallet will continue, and the cycle goes on," he said. - Mkini

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