KL civil servants' allowances cut

KL civil servants' allowances cut

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): With Malaysia sinking deeper into economic
crisis, the government slashed yesterday entertainment funds for
civil servants, the local news agency Bernama reported.

Beginning this year, entertainment allowances for government
and police officials will be trimmed by more than 10 percent, the
government said in a statement.

This latest bid to cut spending came just days after
authorities forbade Malaysia's senior civil servants to travel
abroad on vacations. Senior government officials also were told
recently to expect pay cuts.

Among the countries hit hardest by Asia's continuing economic
crisis, Malaysia announced a series of austerity measures late
last year intended to prevent further decline in the nation's
currency and stock markets.