The Malaysian Government Pensioners Association (PPKM) today slammed DAP vice-chairperson Senator Ariffin Omar over the latter's remarks which allegedly linked the racial composition of the civil service with corruption.

PPKM president Wan Mahmood Pawan Teh said the association's 640,000 members were angry over the matter.

"If it is true, it is an irresponsible statement. Where was he when countless civil servants like police and military personnel who lost their lives when fighting the communist insurgency in the country which lasted for 14 years.

"By right he should be grateful to civil servants, including us former civil servants who toiled hard to develop the country," he told Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

Meanwhile, Ariffin told a press conference at Parliament's lobby today that his remarks had been twisted by the media.

"I never made such a statement, even though Malays make up the majority in the civil service, it does not mean they practice corruption. I had only suggested that other races be given opportunities to join the civil service," he said.

- Bernama