Earn the pay hike, says PM
Civil servants urged to identify bad behaviour among their ranks
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged civil servants to maintain their integrity to justify the recognition and confidence accorded to them by the government through salary adjustments under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).
He said civil servants should identify colleagues who tarnish the reputation of the civil service.
“So, I ask that while we provide a somewhat radical shift in terms of recognition and rewards to civil servants, you should monitor your departments and colleagues to identify those who tarnish the reputation of civil servants.
Also present were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government had made a “radical and bold” decision to increase the salaries of civil servants when the country has not fully recovered from economic uncertainties and problems such as leakages and corruption.
“If we follow economic considerations, standard economic theory, all salary increases should be postponed until the economy is more stable, meaning less debt.
“But I see it from the perspective of Madani, compassion, humanity, efficiency level and sustainability. Why should we burden civil servants for mistakes not solely of their making but sometimes due to mismanagement and negligence by many other parties?” he said.
He said the decision to increase civil servants’ salaries had also been extensively discussed with top government management such as Mohd Zuki and Public Service Department director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
Anwar said the government’s decision to increase civil servants’ salaries is to instil confidence in public sector workers that the Madani government leadership is genuinely serious about finding the best possible way to help.
He expressed confidence that the proposed salary hike for civil servants will be approved by Parliament during the Budget 2025 session in October.
“There are some who dispute, saying it’s not settled yet and Parliament may not approve it.
“I would like to know which MP wants to object. Even if they oppose, we have Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah to give two-thirds majority (support),” he said.
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