AYER KEROH: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has backed Mohamad Sabu’s decision to forfeit his entire ministerial salary to support groups campaigning for equal house arrest rights for prisoners.
Zahid said the Amanah president should also give up his ministerial allowances if he genuinely wanted to support the cause.
“That is good, it is a fine proposal,” Zahid told reporters at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC).
“However, if the intention is genuinely to assist, I hope he surrenders not just his salary, but his allowances as well.
“A minister’s basic salary is modest, but the allowances are substantial — he shouldn’t keep the allowances,” he added.
Earlier today, Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, announced in Jasin that he would forfeit his entire monthly ministerial salary of RM11,900 until the dissolution of Parliament.
He said the money would go towards funding civil society groups and legal practitioners advocating equal treatment under the law.
Mohamad called for a formal legal mechanism allowing all convicts to serve half their sentences in prison and the remaining half under house arrest, arguing that such arrangements should not be an exclusive privilege for high-profile political figures or VVIPs.
He also said he had no personal grudge against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak or his family. His decision came amid public debate over executive provisions and house arrest procedures.