PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants say they will use their newly announced salary increase for emergencies.
Assistant administrative officer Saidatul Amira said her pay was just enough for daily necessities and commitments, especially with the rising cost of living.
"We have loans to pay, and the sales and services tax has gone up, so I think the salary increase is fair.
"Our salary is just enough to pay for all that, and with this increase, at least we can have savings."
Saidatul has been working as a civil servant for 17 years, and is now serving in the Penang state secretary's office.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced a more than 13 per cent salary increase for civil servants, the highest ever increase in their remuneration.
Roszaida Mohd Zain, 46, said she had to plan her spending to set aside money for savings.
"With this announcement, I think we will have extra money for savings.
"We can spend some money for leisure time with our family, go on trips and buy local products.
"Perhaps we can also help the local tourism sector."
Roszaida said the 13 per cent increase in salary would also make workers feel more enthusiastic about work.
"This will reduce our burden in dealing with the rising cost of living.
"I'm very thankful and happy with the increase. Many have been waiting for this," said the Ex-Serviceman Affairs Corporation marketing and promotions officer.
Human resource executive Clament Arokianathan, 27, said the announcement would benefit the people and the nation.
"Hopefully, more people can improve their lifestyle, especially with the rising inflation. This increment can also help B40 families."
Clament said the increment, which would come into effect on Dec 1, would be useful for him.
"Right now, our salaries are not enough for savings, because whatever we earn is used for commitments.
"We can use the increment to save for emergencies."
Hassan Mahali said the increment would motivate civil servants in Sabah to work hard and contribute to the betterment of the state.
The Sabah Works Ministry deputy permanent secretary 1 lauded the announcement that the Sabah and Sarawak labour ordinances would be amended to match the Employment Act 1955, which is applicable only to Peninsular Malaysia.
"The amendments are for the interest of workers, for example, maternity leave for women.
"This standardisation would benefit workers in Sabah and Sarawak."
The last time civil servants' salaries was revised was 12 years ago, and the highest increase in the past was 13 per cent.
Anwar announced this at the Labour Day celebration in Putrajaya.
Anwar, who is finance minister, also announced that the overall minimum pay for civil servants must reach more than RM2,000.
He said Sabah and Sarawak had agreed to make amendments to their ordinances to match the Employees Act 1955, which is applicable only to Peninsular Malaysia.
The bill to amend the Sabah Labour Ordinance and Sarawak Labour Ordinance would be tabled in the next parliamentary session.