KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider reducing the number of Cabinet ministers instead of burdening the lower income group with the introduction of new taxes, says Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

In line with the current economic uncertainty and declining global oil prices, he said the government should adopt more prudent spending habits and not put more pressure on people already burdened by the rising cost of living.

“If there is not enough income, reduce the size of the government, which includes the number of Cabinet ministers. Cut down on spending and start saving money rather than taking more cash from the people, [and] not by introducing new taxes to the system,” he told a public discourse titled, “Preservation or Subsidy Withdrawal — Economic Impact on Youths” on Tuesday night.

Apart from Wan Saiful, many other observers have expressed concern that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s team, which at 35 is even bigger than his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s 32-member Cabinet, will further slow down the reforms needed to drive the country forward.

Wan Saiful said Putrajaya seems to be more concerned about retaining the number of ministers amid gloomy world economic prospects.

He said savings from reduced spending would enable the government to impose minimum taxes.

Although Putrajaya’s move to rationalise subsidies is commendable, Wan Saiful said, the government could do more to reduce its expenditure.

Wan Saiful also said no politician seems interested in the people’s well-being instead, they only want to ensure they remain in power in the next election.  — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on December 11, 2014.