KUALA LUMPUR: The people should always check their facts before criticising the government, especially on the announcement of the recent salary adjustment for civil servants, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said there were some people who questioned whether the 7% to 15% raise for civil servants was true.

“These people need to learn, read and understand first before criticising. If they don’t understand, they should ask.

“There are channels available where they can ask questions. They should not politicise the civil servant salary issue in the name of helping the people. This is unacceptable,” he said during the closing ceremony of the three-day Southern Zone Madani Rakyat 2024 programme in Skudai, Johor, yesterday.

Anwar said the pay rise, which is the biggest after the last adjustment, was done more than 10 years ago. It was decided based on careful calculations by the Public Service Department.

“This is so that lower-income civil servants will receive higher percentage raises to narrow the gap with higher income earners,” he added.

On Friday, Anwar announced a 15% pay raise for officers under the implementing, management and professional groups and a 7% hike for officers in top management and professional roles.

The last pay raise for civil servants was announced in 2012 during the administration of then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, which was an increment of between 7% and 13% for officers up to Grade 54.

A total of RM6bil was allocated for that purpose.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/18/check-facts-before-criticising-govt-says-anwar