A netizen’s video about Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim saying that he would not accept his salary in solidarity with the Malaysian people as they rally to deal with high living costs has been circulated on social media, getting many Singaporeans talking.
“Our prime minister’s salary is the highest in the entire world,” a TikToker said in a video he published on Nov 30. He then compared it with the leader of Singapore’s next-door neighbour, Malaysia.
@mouthknifesharp Malaysia PM Anwar had forgone his salary, how should Singapore react? #fyp #singapore #malaysia
“Our neighbor Prime Minister, Mr Anwar…he’s not even taking his salary due to the rising cost of living that affects the poor terribly,” the netizen said. “So how about you, Mr Prime Minister?” he asked, going further as to name Singapore’s leader, asking, “Have you considered lowering your salary (and that of) the other ministers? Because we Singaporeans are also struggling with the rising cost of our daily needs.”
The netizen in the video also mentioned the GST hike set to begin next year. “We are really suffering in silence.”
“We know, Mr Prime Minister, that you are doing a very good job,” he said. He then went on to give his opinion on how there are still many in society who need help but don’t exactly qualify as people with low income or with no income at all. “The rest of us are still suffering…we are working very hard and not getting enough…and receiving no financial support just because we’ve got a mediocre salary…The middle class are the ones in Singapore being sandwiched–the ones who are suffering the most.”
He then gave some examples before saying, “It’s cheaper to pass away.”
In response, many Singaporeans left comments either calling government leaders to lower their salaries or defending the “high salary, low corruption” notion.
Others took this as their queue to vote in more opposition members in the next general elections.
