Contract civil servants who have had their service terminated without notice can raise their plight with the office of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said Bersatu leader Rais Hussin.

Rais, who is Bersatu's policy and strategy chief, said Mahathir had repeatedly assured that those who "preserve the nation's interest" will be protected under the Pakatan Harapan government.

"Their sacrifice in withstanding pressure and not kowtowing to wrongdoings and wrongdoers is exemplary.

"All they have to do is to raise their plight factually with the PM’s Office and I am confident that it will be looked at positively.

"Remember, Mahathir is a man of his words. He says what he will do and do what he says. Harapan must be thankful to those who help preserve the nation and have been doing the right thing," Rais told Malaysiakini.

He added that civil servants are critical for the smooth functioning of the government.

Rais was responding to a post by Facebook user Mohd Amiruddin Che Rahim, who works with the Federal Development Office in Penang, under the Implementation Coordination Unit.

Amiruddin claimed that he and 10 other contract civil servants with the development office had their contracts terminated today, allegedly without 30 days notice.

"I ask that my fellow contract staff and I, who serve at the state Federal Development Office be protected, especially since our income has been ended immediately with Ramadan and Hari Raya coming soon.

"We are Malaysians, and fully support the administration of Mahathir with full hope that we will be protected.

"If we are not given the opportunity to continue serving the government, I ask that the job opportunities promised by Harapan be given to us," Amiruddin said.

A screenshot of an e-mail attached with the posting, said that contract workers hired "under the previous federal government", would be terminated effective 14 May (today) after taking into account "current requirements".

Mahathir has repeatedly assured that the Harapan government will not be trimming down on the civil service.