KOTA KINABALU: Traders have been advised not to take advantage of the recent decision by the government to raise civil servants’ wages by hiking the prices of their goods.

National Consumer Foundation Sabah chairman David Chan then said that he is concerned that some might exploit the salary increment as Malaysians are already grappling with the rising cost of living.

“This increment is a step towards helping civil servants cope with the current economic challenges, it is not a signal for businesses to inflate prices,” he said on Saturday (Aug 17).

“Please exercise ethical business practices and refrain from unjustifiably raising the prices of household essentials,” added Chan.

On Friday (Aug 16), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a 15% pay raise for civil servants under the management and professional category and a 7% salary raise for civil servants in the upper management category.

The pay raise will be given to civil servants in two phases, Anwar added.

For civil servants under the management and professional category, officers will receive an 8% raise in the first phase of implementation on Dec 1, and a 7% raise in the second phase on Jan 1, 2026.

For civil servants in the upper management category, they will receive a 4% raise in the first phase on Dec 1, and a 3% raise in the second phase on Jan 1, 2026.

Chan said the salary increase was not intended to fuel inflation but rather to provide much-needed relief to government employees who have faced stagnant wages for years.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/17/dont-hike-household-goods-prices-after-wage-increase-says-consumer-group