Prime Minister’s Declaration Marks Significant Milestone
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has made a groundbreaking announcement regarding salary increases for civil servants, marking a historic moment in the nation’s history. During the National Labour Day 2024 celebration, he declared that civil servants would witness a salary hike of over 13 per cent, effective from December this year.
Unprecedented Allocation
The increase, hailed as one of the highest in the nation’s history, will see an allocation of over RM10 billion, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of civil servants.
Anwar highlighted that the increase would exceed 13 per cent, making it a significant improvement compared to the last pay hike, which occurred approximately 12 years ago.
Focus on Minimum Income
Under the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), the government aims to ensure that the minimum income for civil servants surpasses RM2,000 per month, emphasizing its dedication to uplifting the standard of living for public sector employees.
Fiscal Responsibility
Addressing concerns about the financial implications of the salary increase, Anwar reassured that the government would assess it from a financial perspective, striving to find sustainable funding avenues while maintaining prudent fiscal policies to prevent excessive national debt.
Merit-Based Rewards
Anwar emphasized that the implementation of SSPA would consider overall performance, stating that commendable work records would be rewarded accordingly. He clarified that those displaying lackluster work ethics would not be eligible for the proposed rewards.
Equal Recognition for All Sectors
Responding to claims of bias towards civil servants, Anwar stressed the importance of recognizing the contributions of workers across all sectors. He urged private companies to emulate the government’s initiative in ensuring fair compensation for employees.
Alignment with Labour Laws
Anwar also announced agreements with the Sabah and Sarawak governments to align their respective labour ordinances with the Employment Act 1955, promoting consistency in labour regulations across Malaysia.
Global Recognition
Highlighting Malaysia’s progress in government efficiency, Anwar cited the country’s improved ranking in the Government Efficiency Sub-Index of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, indicating a positive trajectory towards achieving top 20 status by 2025.
The prime minister’s announcements underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of civil servants and fostering economic prosperity while ensuring equitable treatment across all sectors.