The Muar MP decided to clear the air by addressing each issue via his social media platforms.
But what sent shockwaves throughout the internet-sphere was Syed Saddiq’s disclosure and breakdown of how much ministers in the country make monthly.
A lot of allowances
“Until now, I still don’t get why is there a need for ministers to accept bribery,” Syed Saddiq said.“They receive high pay, high allowances. And the total isn’t even including the one-off payments received.”
Apparently, according to Saddiq, a Member of the Parliament, who was a former minister, makes about RM55,000 monthly.
And if you frequently go back to the area you’re serving or attend programs that are far from the office, you’ll receive additional incentives.
As for allowances, ministers receive RM70,000 for annual vacations, RM180 per day for meals, RM10,000 if they’re moving out of their house, and probably the funniest if not absurd of them all, a one-off allowance for “pinggan mangkuk” which tallies up to RM42,000.
Even if you’ve been terminated from the post, you’ll also receive a one-off payment of RM150,000.
Many netizens praised the former minister for plucking up his courage and for being transparent with his earnings.
Some also felt sad and disappointed with the income disparity between ministers and the people:
Something’s incredibly off with Malaysia’s economic distribution when a minister’s elaun pinggan mangkuk is worth ~3 years of a minimum wage work’s salaries.
— Faizal Hamssin (@faizalhamssin) May 11, 2020
And their annual vacation allowance?
Can pay the monthly salaries for about 18 fresh doctors. https://t.co/9jV3lkD7LV
People say YB Syed Saddiq is too young to be MP.
— Zheng Yang (@zheng_yang1) May 11, 2020
They are dead wrong. He is not young but genuine. He is far better than those crooked MPs/politicians. https://t.co/9U7hcvKodT
Menteri punya Elaun Pinggan Mangkuk one-off pun sampai RM42,000
— حافينازي (@Hfnz9) May 11, 2020
Rakyat punya E-wallet 30 Ringek one-off pun mintak balik
Kalau Saddiq tak tulis ni sampai la ni kita taktau menteri ada allowance pinggan mangkuk AND FOR WHAT
— The Huda (@nabilahudatahar) May 11, 2020
I really hope you maintain your convictions & idealism, @SyedSaddiq , throughout your entire life. People change & I hope you don’t, except for the better. Because the young generation need role models like you to look up to. In politics there are not many
— cammy duduk rumah diam diam ㅇㅅㅇ (@AilemracY) May 11, 2020
I appreciate yr honesty YB, but seriously, I'm flabbergasted by the amount of allowances awarded to a single person. It's mindboggling after watching the news tonight that there are families out there who literally eating rice with garam & giving their babies condensed milk&water
— ℍ?????? ?????? (@_husseinkhalid) May 11, 2020
Maknanya berpuluh tahun menteri² semua sorok yang diorang ada dapat elaun pinggan mangkuk. Kalau Syed Saddiq tak cerita, takdelah kita tahu ye.
— Ikar (@ikarbertweet) May 12, 2020
So, did this new discovery leave you speechless or were you already expecting it?