Malaysian PM cuts Cabinet salary
Kuala Lumpur, May 23: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday announced a 10 per cent pay cut for ministers in his Cabinet in a bid to control spending as the new government deals with high-level debt exceeding more than $251.5 billion.
Mahathir made the announcement at the first Cabinet meeting attended by more than a dozen of the newly sworn-in ministers, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Malaysia's debt is around 65 per cent of the country's GDP. We are concerned about the country's financial problem, Mahathir told reporters after the meeting.
The Prime Minister said he will not force other senior civil servants to follow suit, but they can do so if they want to contribute towards reducing the cost of running this country.
Since taking power after the election victory, Mahathir has been focusing on implementing the commitments promised during the campaign, including abolishing the 6 per cent goods and services taxe, which the rating firm Moody's said could narrow the country's tax base and strain fiscal strength.
Aside from the pay cut, he has been advocating other measures, including forming a small Cabinet, downsizing the government and recovering some assets related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state fund overseas.
He said, the Land Public Transport Commission will be disbanded, with its previous functions placed under the Transport Ministry, while several other "non-essential" institutions will be dissolved.
Besides, he touched on the review process of some mega projects, saying the government is studying which will be scraped and which will be continued.
In addition, he said the government is reviewing the contract for the search of the missing MH370 flight. "If we find that it is not necessary, we will not renew (the contract)," he said.
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Kane scores hat trick and Bayern extends Bundesliga lead to 11 points
Berlin (AP): Harry Kane was substituted in at the hour mark and still had enough time to score a hat trick on Saturday.
The England captain took his goal tally for Bayern Munich this season to 28 and the defending champions extended their lead to 11 points after thrashing Stuttgart 5-0 on the road.
Second-placed Leipzig later hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.
With Kane on the bench, Konrad Laimer took on the scoring duties and produced a superb finish. The Austria midfielder collected a long ball and combined with Michael Olise before slotting home from close range with a subtle backheel past goalkeeper Alexander Nübel in the 11th minute.
Kane made it 2-0 with a low shot into the bottom corner and Josip Stanišic added his name to the scoresheet. Kane added further luster to the win from the penalty spot after Stuttgart was reduced to 10 men for Lorenz Assignon using his arm to clear a ball in the 81st.
Kane completed the rout with a flick from an Olise cross with two minutes left. He has found the net five more times with England this season, taking his total to 33 goals for club and country.
Stuttgart had chances before halftime but lacked a cutting edge. Midfielder Nikolas Nartey thought he equalized only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 16 league and cup games against German opposition this season.
Other results
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Bayer Leverkusen suffered a fourth loss, 2-0 at Augsburg.
Defender Dimitrios Giannoulis put the host in front after six minutes then turned provider to set up forward Anton Kade. Leverkusen, which hit the woodwork, remained in fourth place, 14 points behind Bayern.
Wolfsburg scored from all of its shots on target and moved four points clear of the relegation zone after beating Union Berlin 3-1. Heidenheim defeated Freiburg 2-1. Cologne and St. Pauli drew 1-1.
