After the parliament session last week, the former PM adviser Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu found himself in hot water after it was revealed that he was paid a 5-figure salary for being the special adviser to former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
According to Mingguan Malaysia, Faizal has now pledged to donate it all to the Covid-19 Fund.
He said he was not discouraged and angry with those questioned his income, instead he supported the matter being raised in Parliament as it ensures the transparency in salaries of the government members.
On the other hand, Faizal said he was a little upset because he was not given the opportunity to explain himself, including his intention to donate the salary to the Covid-19 Fund.
He added that he had sent a letter to the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali to channel half of his salary to the Covid-19 Fund on the same day the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government fell.
“I agree with them (detractors), because I have not provided much service yet, but received a salary of RM27,000 plus a prorated income, maybe more. I intend to return the entire sum to the Covid-19 Fund.”
“I’m sorry. To my critics, I forgive them. If I made a mistake, I apologise. They are not wrong, and I agree with those who brought up the matter.” he said.
He then said that he as an “orang kampung” was worried when netizens questioned his work performance.
“I did not do anything wrong. But I’m worried when netizens talk about my work performance.”
“But if they talk about my behaviour, my weaknesses on things that do not harm the country, I don’t care. I am an ‘orang kampung’.”
Previously during the parliament sitting on 14 September, it was revealed that Faizal received a whooping RM27,227.20 salary when he was appointed as adviser to then prime minister Muhyiddin.
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said his salary had been prorated due to his brief stint as the adviser.
In addition, Faizal receives a month’s salary as part of his termination of service notice, but he is not eligible for pension payments in that role.
When being asked about his role as the special adviser, Ismail replied “He was responsible in establishing close cooperation between the government and community leaders as well as increasing the people’s understanding of government policies through effective communication channels, and improving the government’s delivery system in terms of socio-economic development.”
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