PUTRAJAYA: The Madani government has affirmed its commitment to closely monitor inflation rates following the announcement of more than 13 per cent increase in civil servants' salaries set for December.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would oversee the implementation of the salary increase while ensuring it remains within sustainable fiscal limits.
"That is why the increase is phased in December and followed through to the following year (2025).
"So, if it goes up (inflation), it will be under control because, as we know, inflation in our country is the lowest in Asia," he said during the "Soal Jawab Perdana Menteri" programme broadcast by all local television stations, including Bernama TV, today.
Anwar also reassured that the government will always strive to ensure that inflation rate will not burden the people.
He said this when asked about the rising inflation concern in the country following the announcement of a salary increase for civil servants.
Anwar, during the national Labour Day 2024 celebrations here this morning, announced the salary increase for civil servants, which is expected to involve an allocation of more than RM10 billion.
According to Bank Negara Malaysia, overall inflation is expected to remain moderate, between 2.0 per cent and 3.5 per cent this year, following cost pressures that are under control following improved global supply conditions.
Touching on the cost of living, the Prime Minister denied grouses that the cost of living is now the highest in history.
"That is a lie. I used to oversee price controls for goods many decades ago as the minister of finance at that time. Indeed, we assume that every year before Hari Raya the price of chicken will go up, but this time it did not.
"We also monitor the price of vegetables and fish. Some go up, I am not denying it, but we are monitoring," he said, adding that the cost of living in Malaysia is still well controlled compared with Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The almost hour-long special interview with the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia was conducted by RTM presenter Sayed Munawar Sayed Mustar, Pasha Abdul Rahim (Bernama TV), Muhammad Zulfitri Yusof (Awani) and Azaria Tagaya (TV3). -- Bernama