KUCHING: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has no qualms about forgoing his salary for three months if it means doing his part to help finance the war against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister was responding to the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last night (May 31) that all ministers and deputy ministers will not be taking their salaries for three months starting this month.
Muhyiddin had said the money would be channelled to the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund to cover Covid-19 related expenses.
“I’ll agree to the proposal, though I have to make some adjustments to some of my spending commitments.
“Generally, the federal ministers from Sarawak are not rich. Perhaps, the Malay and Bumiputera ministers may have some savings in ASB or Tabung Haji. For the others, maybe bank savings, but we believe we can get by,” he told New Sarawak Tribune today (June 1).
Wan Junaidi, who is also the Santubong MP, said he has been helping a few relatives in Sarawak, Malaya and even in Indonesia monthly from his own pocket; as such he may need to make adjustments to this as well.
Asked if there had been any discussion with Muhyiddin on salary matters, he said: “Not that I know of and if there had been any discussion, I was not involved. Perhaps, it will be raised at tomorrow’s (June 2) Cabinet meeting.”
