PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli has questioned the timing of the pay rise for civil servants announced yesterday, given that the BN’s five-year federal mandate had elapsed on March 8.

Technically, Najib Abdul Razak administration is “as if a caretaker government", he pointed out today.

br1m 2.0 launch by najib razak front "It is utterly irresponsible of Najib (right) to woo civil servants unashamedly in the hope that they will support BN and Umno (in the upcoming general election). By announcing it close to election,

“He is the only Malaysian PM who has yet to call elections after the five-year period from the date of the last election.

"In all previous terms, the PM would have called the elections before the five-year (period) elapsed. The political mandate, as far as the people are concerned, is from the date of the last election.”

Rafizi also noted that civil servants, as well as the police and armed forces , are professional in outlook and will not be swayed by salary increases.

Ali Hamsa, the chief secretary to the government, has denied that pay hike has anything to do with the impending polls.

Civil servants 'smart enough'

Rafizi retorted that the public would be able to judge the truth of this, and that civil servants are smart enough to see what is behind the decision.

NONE “The issue for the armed forces is not solely about wages.

"Since they deposit their (a portion of their wages until) they retire from service, in the end payment is finally made in the form of gratuity. Even if wages are raised, it would not help them, especially when they retire.

"I do not think what Najib announced yesterday is wide enough to meet the demands of civil servants. I do not think we will fret too much over this.”

Rafizi noted that civil servants take pride in being allowed to do their work independently and to  play a crucial role in governing.

“But most of the decision making has been taken away from them and given to consultants (under the Najib administration). Even the National Education Policy blueprint was given to consultants,” he added.

‘When Pakatan takes over, we will bring integrity and independence back to the civil servants.”