Public sector will see 11 cost-cutting measures implemented to compensate for price hikes
PETALING JAYA: In a move to walk
the talk about prudent spending, the Government will enforce 11
cost-cutting measures for the public sector starting tomorrow.
The measures range from cutting entertainment and toll allowances of
ministers and deputy ministers to reducing the supply of food and
drinks at official functions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in a statement that
the decision to introduce the measures followed discussions with his
deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Chief Secretary to the
Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa.
“Other thrift measures for the public sector will be announced from
time to time based on needs and the prevailing situation,” Najib said.
The measures come in the wake of rising public concern over a spate
of price increases, including a hike in electricity tariff, effective
tomorrow.
Senior government officials will bear the brunt of many of the cuts.
The entertainment allowance of officers on the Public Sector
Superscale (Jawatan Utama Sektor Awam or Jusa) in category C and above
will be cut by between 5% and 10%. Civil servants on the Superscale are
senior government officials such as department heads.
The toll payment facility for civil servants in the Jusa C category and above will also be reduced by between RM50 and RM100.
All government premises need to reduce their electricity bills by
5%. Renovations of such premises are now frozen, while the process of
appointing consultants for government projects will be tightened.
There is to be less use of event management companies and door
gifts. More senior civil servants will have to use economy class
flights.
The last time the Government implemented cost-cutting measures was
during the 1997 economic downturn. The measures announced in December
that year included a 10% cut in salaries of ministers, an 18% reduction
in government spending and the postponement of several public sector
investment projects.
The Star Online
Tuesday 31 December,2013.