GEORGE TOWN, May 31 — The Penang state government has approved a 10 per cent pay cut for its 10 state excos and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow effective June onwards.

Chow, who announced this, said the 10 per cent deducted from the state exco and his salaries will be a monthly contribution to the Tabung Harapan Malaysia (Malaysia Hope Fund).

"The state exco agreed unanimously to this pay cut yesterday and this monthly deductions will be in place until there are new instructions from the federal government,” he said in a press conference at his office here today.

He said his salary will be deducted a total RM1,417.51 each month while each state exco’s salary will be deducted RM1,210.92 each month.

"This means the total contributions Penang state exco will be making to the fund each month will be RM13,526.80,” he said.

He said this decision was in line with the federal government’s implementation of a 10 per cent pay cut for all Cabinet ministers to reduce government expenditures.

He hoped that these extra contributions from Penang will be able to assist the federal government in reducing national debts.

Earlier, Chow presented cheques to national badminton players Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Chan Peng Soon for winning gold, silver and bronze in the recent Commonwealth Games 2018.

Chow said the cheque presentation is under the Penang sports incentive scheme (Skimas) to motivate and encourage Penang athletes who represented Malaysia in international events.

Lee received RM26,400 while Chan received RM5,400 under Skimas.