Civil service pay hike: Govt urged to monitor prices of goods

A former trade union leader has urged the government to monitor and control prices of goods and raw materials to avoid manipulation by irresponsible parties following yesterday’s announcement on the salary adjustment of civil servants.

Former Cuepacs president Azih Muda said the announcement on the salary adjustment had raised concerns in society about a potential increase in the prices of goods unless the government takes measures to prevent it.

“We hope that when the salary increase begins, there will not be another domino effect to an extent the price of goods and raw materials go up. This is worrying because if it happens, the government’s efforts will be in vain.

“We would be ‘back to square one’. If you look at other developed countries, the price of goods has not gone up for several years, only the value of the currency has changed.

“But here (Malaysia) when the price of something goes up, the price of everything else also increase,” he said in the “Ruang Bicara” programme on Bernama TV last night.

Azih expressed the need for the relevant ministries and agencies to be alert so irresponsible parties would not take advantage of the situation.

He hoped that members of the civil service would be able to provide more efficient and inclusive services to the public following the announcement of the salary adjustments for civil servants.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a 15 percent salary adjustment to civil servants in the support, management and professional groups, and seven percent for those in the top management group.

The salary adjustment will be implemented in phases, starting from Dec 1 for Phase 1, and from Jan 1, 2026, for Phase 2.

A more prestigious civil service

A senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law and International Relations, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Wan Rohila Ganti Wan Abdul Ghapar, said the salary adjustment announced by the government indirectly elevated the prestige of the public service.

“Previously, the private sector was seen as more prestigious because of the higher salaries and allowances plus its annual bonus (compared to the public sector). With this increase, the public service sector will be viewed as more prestigious,” she said.

She suggested that the government introduce a new law for periodic salary revision to safeguard the welfare and image of civil servants.

“It is time for us to have a specific act regarding the salary increase schedule. However, it is also important to consider the financial burden and the country’s economic capability, as we cannot predict the state of the country in the coming year.

- Bernama

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