Mahathir blames Malaysia’s high cost of living on RM1 trillion debts

(The Star) – The Prime Minister (pic) has urged the civil service to be patient in facing the rising cost of living as the government works to resolve the country’s RM1 trillion debt.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government’s focus was on reducing expenditure to be able to pay back the debt incurred by the previous administration.

“I plead to our friends in the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services’ (Cuepacs) to work together with us and be patient while we recover the country’s financial position.

“If there is no violence or wild acts, we can recover in three years.

Also present were Chief Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar and Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda.

Dr Mahathir said in the meantime, the government was working to reduce the cost of living and increase the people’s purchasing power.

However, this would require efficiency and discipline from the civil service, he added.

He said simply increasing the salary of the civil servants is not enough as big numbers on a paycheque mean little if houses, clothes, and food are becoming more expensive.