KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — Member of Parliament for Kepong, Lim Lip Eng today questioned the need to appoint a third advisor for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at a cost of RM50,000 a month when the country was already in the middle of an inflation and an economic turmoil brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said news that Kedah Umno chief Jamil Khir Baharom is being appointed as Ismail Sabri’s religious advisor has raised a lot of questions and was an indication of setting wrong priorities.
“Why does the prime minister have to appoint three advisors, each costing RM50,000 a month, when there are already ministers advising him on religion, health, and both law and human rights,” he said in a statement issued Sunday.
Only three months ago the prime minister had appointed Senator Idris Ahmad as the religious affairs minister.
“If he can no longer trust Idris because he is from PAS, the prime minister should replace him with Jamil. Both the prime minister and Idris owe the public an explanation as it involves a lot of taxpayer’s money every month just to upkeep the two key positions, especially at time when people are trying to make ends meet. On everyone’s mind now is how to put food on the table, pay bills and raise children.
“We are seeing one of the worst economic crises impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and inflation. While COVID-19 is a global health issue, inflation, on the other hand, is largely caused by domestic issues which Ismail Sabri should address immediately instead of appointing people at his whims and fancies as advisors at the expense of the people.”