The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) criticised MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki for insinuating that the proposed pay hike for public servants was to curb corruption.
“We disagree when someone sees the proposed pay hike in the context of curbing corruption.
“If we look at media reports, the corrupt come from all walks of life, not only civil servants,” Berita Harian reported Cuepacs president Adnan Mat as saying.
Yesterday, Azam said poverty and low wages are not the top factors contributing to corruption.
Azam emphasised that corruption happens because of greed, opportunity and issues with governance.
“If people think that it (corruption) happens because of low salaries, my recommendation to the government is to be careful about that.
“Don’t keep increasing salaries for nothing, thinking that will reduce corruption. Corruption is about greed, opportunity, the system, procedures and governance issues,” he said.
Don’t question our integrity
On that note, Adnan (above) stressed that one should not question the integrity of civil servants just because a handful of them engage in corrupt activities.
He added that when it comes to eradicating graft, Cuepacs acknowledges MACC’s track record and would always cooperate with the agency.
As for the pay hike, Adnan stated that the government decided to narrow the gap between civil servants’ income and the higher cost of living.
“It has nothing to do with curbing corruption. Right now, the income gap between the lower grades (civil servants) and higher ones is too wide.
“The situation doesn’t reflect the actual median household income rate at the national level.
“And the salary revision is also in line with the better work performance by our civil servants and it will help boost the economy,” Adnan added.
On May 1, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that civil servants would enjoy a salary hike of more than 13 percent starting December this year, the highest increase in the nation’s history.
He said the increase would involve an allocation of over RM10 billion.
“The increase will be more than 13 percent. It is the best increase in history by the Madani government,” he was reported as saying. - Mkini
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