Saifuddin: Salary hike not an election goodie
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has called out Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad to affirm his stance on the recently announced salary increment of more than 13 per cent for civil servants.
Wan Fayhsal, Saifuddin said, stated that the increase could only be announced, but not necessarily implemented as it depends on the national budget.
“I request that he clearly state his disagreement with this salary increase. We want to see if it can be implemented or not, according to Wan Fayhsal.
“I want to ask him and his colleagues if they disagree with rejecting the salary hike.
“I ask him to state it now,” he said after visiting the police college here yesterday.
On Thursday, it was reported that Wan Fayhsal said the pay hike for civil servants announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not hold any significance due to the rise in the cost of living.
He had said: “What’s certain is that the prices of goods will continue to rise.
“Why cheer for something uncertain when the prices of goods keep rising?”
Saifuddin also denied that the salary increase was an election goodie as the mattter was announced last year.
“We say this because there is a timeline that could refute claims of alleged political goodies.”
He said 142,000 policemen, which include uniformed and auxiliary officers, would be able to enjoy the salary increment.
“It is among the biggest groups that will enjoy the benefits from the announcement made by the prime minister.”