Wage hike for civil servants is final, says PM

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the details of the announcement on the civil service wage hike cannot be revealed at the moment due to procedural reasons. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA: The salary increase of more than 13% for civil servants announced on May 1 is final, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, was responding to remarks by certain parties that his announcement last week was “incomplete” and had yet to be presented in the 2025 budget.

Speaking today, he said some details of the wage hike under the Public Service Remuneration System study must undergo several processes, including being presented to the Cabinet.

“Some people have questioned why the announcement lacks detail. I must clarify that we can’t (give the details) because of procedural reasons,” he said in a speech at the Prime Minister’s Department’s monthly assembly.

“In principle, we can announce it, but the finer points must be presented to the Cabinet first.”

On Saturday, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the wage increase was nothing to shout about, and that it might not be passed in the Dewan Rakyat.

However, Anwar said even if attempts were made to block the 2025 budget, it would still be passed with full support from government MPs.

“Despite any opposition, we have Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, thus maintaining a two-thirds majority,” he said.

On Labour Day, Anwar said the upcoming increment would be the highest ever given to civil servants, as 13% was previously the biggest increase.

He said the wage increase would be implemented from December this year with more than RM10 billion allocated for the purpose.

For civil servants on the lowest salary scale, their total income, including allowances, would increase to a minimum of RM2,000 per month from the current RM1,795, he said. - FMT