GEORGE TOWN: News of an increase in their salary brought relief and optimism among civil servants.

Fireman B. Suresh, 42, said he will use the additional funds to support his children’s education and provide for their long-term security.

“Besides saving the extra money for my children’s education, the salary increment will help us cope with the rising cost of living.

“It has been a while. The last pay hike for civil servants was over a decade ago,” said Suresh, who has been with the Fire and Rescue Department for 22 years.

Administration assistant Mahfuzah Ahmad Jalaludin, 39, said she will be getting a pay hike of over 10% for the first time after 16 years in the civil service.

“Usually, my salary increment would be between 3% and 5%. Now I can expect a maximum of 15%,” she said.

Mahfuzah said she will use the extra money to pay off her study loan and credit card bill.

M. Kartika, 39, said the pay rise is a good move by the government as civil servants play a crucial role in the country’s administration.

“It is high time for our salaries to reflect this importance with an increase. We will work hard and provide the best to the people,” she said.

Anita Lim, 49, said the pay rise will provide the means to invest in a better future for her family.

“I plan to buy a house for my son who is getting married next year.

“Hopefully with the salary increase, I can secure another loan as investing in a house represents more than just a financial transaction.

“It’s a way to ensure stability and prosperity for my son’s family in a meaningful and impactful way,” said Lim, who has been in the service for 20 years.

In PUTRAJAYA, civil servants who attended the Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (Mappa) event welcomed the good news from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Customs Department officer Norrafidah Mohd Noor, 35, said the wage increase will motivate them to do better.

“Those of us with the Customs Department are very happy,” she said when met at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

Nadia Nadirah, an officer at the Works Department, said this is the first time she has received such a big raise.

“It’s satisfying that our efforts are well recognised,” said the 33-year-old.

Her colleague Firda Syuhada, 30, said the extra money will help her cope with the higher cost of living.

“As someone new to the civil service, this is my first raise.

“We are based in Kuala Lumpur and this will greatly help with our expenses,” she said.

Secondary school teacher Nur Atika, 29, said things are now more expensive in Johor Baru, where she lives.

“With the salary increase, it will allow me to enjoy a better quality of life,” she said.

Senior civil servant Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor said the raise will drive civil servants to work harder.

“For my team, we are also looking forward to improving and taking on the Prime Minister’s call for better performance and to serve the public better,” said the undersecretary of the Property Management Division at the Prime Minister’s Department.

Cuepacs president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat also thanked the Prime Minister during a press conference.

“We (the civil service) have been working hard.

“With (the government’s announcement), we must also improve our service delivery to the people and country,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/17/better-salaries-better-service