I read with interest the polemic in this forum on whether civil servants deserve a hefty pay rise of more than 40 percent. I do agree that with rising inflation, civil servants - especially the lower ranks - face a lot of hurdles in making ends meet. The private sectors too is feeling the pinch and I dare say civil servants are not the only ones facing financial difficulties.

Civil servants, however, are paid less as compared to their counterparts in the private sector but we must remember their tenure of office is secured until retirement age after which they and their spouses are eligible for a life pension. The private sector workers only have to depend on their EPF savings upon retirement.

And unlike civil servants who are entitled to housing and car loans and medical benefits at low rates, private sector workers are not entitled to all these benefits. There is also the terrible fear of being retrenched if the companies they work for go bust.

Having said that, I feel that the more than one million-strong civil service should be trimmed of its excess fat. Deadwood that can't perform should be shipped out. With less staff, I am sure the government can afford to increase their pay though, of course, this is subject to their performance in upgrading the delivery systems as well.

Our civil servants need to buck up on their work culture and be as good as their counterparts in the private sector. Corruption and abuse of power which have been highlighted by our auditor- general numerous times in the past still needs to be addressed by the powers-that-be.

Government servants cannot have the cake and eat it too. When compared to the private sector, their workload is less. For those civil servants who lament that they cannot make ends meet due to their meager pay, they should then seek employment in the private sector.