{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1686508,
        "msgid": "indonesia-and-malaysia-align-on-option-to-cut-ministers-salaries-for-budget-efficiency-1776574246",
        "date": "2026-04-19 11:15:00",
        "title": "Indonesia and Malaysia Align on Option to Cut Ministers' Salaries for Budget Efficiency",
        "author": "",
        "source": "VIVA",
        "tags": "bisnis",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "Malaysia\u2019s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed openness to reducing ministers' salaries if the Middle East crisis worsens, impacting the country's economy, in a move that echoes Indonesia's discussions on fiscal tightening. Anwar emphasised that ministers' current pay is already modest and prioritised effective public service, but such cuts could be considered amid global geopolitical pressures driving up energy prices and supply chain disruptions. While Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated no formal talks have occurred, both nations are preparing contingency measures to maintain fiscal stability.",
        "content": "<p>Malaysia\u2019s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has opened the possibility of\nsalary cuts for ministers if the crisis in the Middle East deteriorates\nfurther and exerts greater pressure on the country\u2019s economic\nconditions. Anwar made this statement when approached by media after\nprayers at Surau Bomba in Cyberjaya on 17 April 2026. He stressed that\nsuch a step could be considered if the economic situation becomes more\nchallenging. However, Anwar also assessed that ministers\u2019 current\nsalaries are already relatively low, and the most important aspect is\nhow they perform their duties well for the people. \u201cThe key is that they\nserve well,\u201d said Anwar Ibrahim, as quoted from The Straits Times on\nSunday, 19 April 2026. This statement came after Anwar was asked whether\nMalaysia would follow Indonesia\u2019s proposal, which plans to slash\nministers\u2019 salaries as part of broader fiscal tightening measures.\n\u201cPersonally, I have no issue with not taking a salary. But the salary is\ntheir right as long as they work well, and I think that is reasonable,\u201d\nhe explained. \u201cHowever, there is no obstacle (to salary cuts) if the\neconomic situation worsens; it can be considered,\u201d he added. Budget\nefficiency measures are a concern in many Asian countries amid rising\neconomic pressures due to global geopolitical conflicts, particularly\nthe war in the Middle East, which has triggered surges in energy prices\nand disruptions to international supply chains. This crisis has affected\nmany countries, including Malaysia, which must maintain fiscal stability\namid global economic uncertainty. Anwar\u2019s remarks on the potential\nsalary cuts for ministers indicate that the government is opening space\nfor various fiscal adjustment measures if economic conditions\ndeteriorate. Although not yet an official decision, this signal shows\nthat Malaysia is beginning to prepare various contingency scenarios to\naddress the ongoing impacts of the global crisis. In Indonesia itself,\ndiscussions on cutting ministers\u2019 salaries have also emerged as part of\nbudget efficiency efforts. Nevertheless, Coordinating Minister for the\nEconomy Airlangga Hartarto emphasised that to date, this proposal has\nnot been formally discussed at the government level.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-and-malaysia-align-on-option-to-cut-ministers-salaries-for-budget-efficiency-1776574246",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}