No need for pay cut for Ministers: Musa
Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: There is no immediate need to consider the Malaysian Trades Union Congress’ (MTUC) proposal for a pay cut for Ministers, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman Friday.
He said the State Government has always been very prudent in its financial management.
“For Sabah, I think we manage our finances very prudently, we’ve been austere from the start. In terms of our expenses, we have no problem.
So there’s no need (for a pay cut) now,” he said.
He was asked to comment on the proposal made by MTUC President, Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, that all Ministers take a pay cut if the economic situation in the country warrants it, saying workers should not be the only ones victimised following the global economic crisis.
The suggestion was made in the wake of reports late last year that Ministers and top civil servants in Singapore were subjected to pay cuts of up to 19 per cent this year in view of the gloomy economic outlook.
According to Syed Shahir, MTUC had received reports of some 13,000 people, mainly from the manufacturing sector, having been retrenched nationwide from October 2008 to January this year.
Met after launching the Masterskill College Metro campus at Plaza Juta, off Tuaran Road here, Musa said the State Government was working closely with the Health Ministry to find the best solution to the problems affecting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
In the meantime, he said the State Government was also recommending that patients be placed at temporary medical facilities and hospitals in nearby districts.
Asked on the latest development of the QEH, Musa, who is also Finance Minister, said the State Government had submitted several proposals for the Health Ministry to study.
“We have no time frame but we are trying to solve the problem as soon as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, Musa said the State Government welcomed the opening of the Masterskill Metro campus here as it provides opportunity to school leavers and locals to study in the healthcare sector.
He added it also augured well, with the opening of many new hospitals throughout the State, which require many skilled workers from the healthcare and services sectors.
To another question, Musa said an explanation would be sought from the State Government-linked company, Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco), which holds a share in Guocera Tile Industries (Labuan) Sdn Bhd for the closing down of its factory.
However, Musa said the State Government’s share in the company was “small” and that the main shareholder was Hong Leong Group, so “it is beyond our control”.
“Nonetheless, we will ask Sedco to explain why they close down the factory,” he said.
It was reported that the closure of the company that started operation in 1982 had resulted in mass layoff of its 150 employees.
It had blamed its predicament on the steep hike in natural gas price by Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC).
