KANGAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pointed out that the government is able to increase the salary of civil servants because of sound financial management.
Anwar said firmness in managing the country's finances would yield more benefits and blessings for some 1.6 million civil servants nationwide.
He stressed that the decision to raise the civil servants' salary is also a reward for their hard work and discipline.
"But what about the debt (national debt) of RM1.5 trillion, the 5.6 per cent (fiscal) deficit? It has come down to 5 per cent this year and insyaAllah we will bring it further down next year, we will be able (to increase the civil servants salary) because we manage the finances properly by being rigid.
"I believe many are thankful, but (some quarters) still attacking us, claiming that the 15 per cent is not the highest hike, (before this) at one time 35 per cent, but please listen.
The 15 per cent in general, for example for a young staff who is earning monthly allowance of of RM1,200, combined that with minimum salary of RM2,000 it will accumulate to 35 per cent hike anyway.
"By 2025, the financial implication (to implement the salary hike) is over RM10 billion, to pay (for the salary), some are arguing at the current national debt level how is it possible to be done? It is okay, it is the duty of the Finance Minister (to sort it out)," Anwar said in his keynote address at the "Perkampungan Sunnah" gathering at Masjid Alwi here this evening.
Present were Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, Information Minister Fahmi Fadzil, state Mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainul Abidin and Arau member of Parliament Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
On Thursday, Anwar, who is also the Finance Ministry announced over 13 per cent salary hike for civil servants effective Dec 1, 2024.
He was reported as saying that the hike is the highest ever in history as compared to 13 per cent previously.