KUALA LUMPUR – Are deputy ministers currently campaigning in the Melaka polls still reaping the benefits of a ministerial payslip?
This was the question posed by Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) in the Dewan Rakyat session today, adding that two deputy ministers are campaigning for a seat in the state elections.
While she doesn’t oppose deputy ministers contesting in the elections as it is their right to do so, Teo said she wants a clarification as to whether they are campaigning while on leave approved by the prime minister.
“While they are campaigning in Melaka, are they still receiving their salaries from their respective ministries or have their applications for leave been approved?
“If they are on leave now, is it leave without pay, leave with half-pay, or are they still receiving their full salaries?” she questioned.
“Taxpayers have a right to know if they (deputy ministers) are receiving their salaries while they are busy campaigning and not attending to ministerial duties.”
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Lim Ban Hong is contesting for the Kelebang seat under a Barisan Nasional ticket, while Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin is contesting the Tg Bidara seat as a Perikatan Nasional candidate. – The Vibes, November 9, 2021