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.