THE 17,000 civil service jobs that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government claims are political appointments were checked and approved by the Public Services Department (PSD), former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

A large number of them were also earning middle-range incomes and low salaries, he added, dismissing the government’s claim that they were cronies of ministers and certain department heads.

“The allegation that they are cronies is not true as they were only appointed with the agreement of the PSD, which sets the pay scale that is appropriate for their post and qualifications.

“As facilitating staff they don’t even receive the full benefits that civil servants are entitled to,” he said in a statement posted on his social media platforms today.

Zahid, who is currently Umno vice-president taking on the duties of the president, was commenting on the government’s move to axe 17,000 jobs it said were political appointments under the previous administration.

However, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that those who were earning low salaries and who held positions like drivers, as well as essential staff, would be spared, but their current contracts would be terminated first before drawing up new ones.

Zahid said it was insensitive of the government to cause the loss of jobs ahead of the Hari Raya festivities.

“Umno is concerned that the PH government is not giving the correct picture about the country’s debt and is using it as an excuse to fire civil servants.

“Don’t use them as tools for your political agenda. They are also citizens and our voters,” he said. – May 26, 2018.