Putrajaya to axe 17,000 civil servants in bid to stop wastage

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PUTRAJAYA: Saying there is too much wastage in the public sector, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government will axe some 17,000 civil servants who are political appointees in a bid to reduce government spending.

“There are too many contract officers. Political appointees will be terminated,” he told reporters at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, his outfit which he has made into a base since coming to power.

But Mahathir said low-wage employees, such as drivers, will be spared.

“We don’t want to make life difficult for them.”

He said some would be assigned to different roles based on their qualifications.

“This is currently being carried out and it will take time.”