CIVIL servants are thankful for the RM700 “duit raya” in Budget 2023 speech but they will also like a raise because their wages have been stagnant for a long time.

They welcomed the new government’s commitment to eradicate corruption.

Their comments today came the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) said the national spending plan did not address the issue of rising cost of living.

Its president Adnan Mat called the budget disappointing as there was no commitment to raise the wages of civil servants to keep up with inflation.

The salaries of civil servants were last adjusted in November last year.

A civil servant in Rawang, Selangor, who declined to be named, said it is hard to make ends meet on her salary.

“I’m still single so I can cope, but what about those who have families? It’s definitely not enough for them in this current economic situation.

“The government should look into increasing wages as and when the economy recovers.”

She said priority for a raise should be given to the police, fire and rescue department and armed forces.

“They are not earning much,” she said.

“The government should also consider an increase for those who are in the lower grades of civil service.”

A teacher in Kuala Lumpur, who asked not to be named, welcomed the RM700 Raya aid.

But more needs to be done for teachers who are not well paid, she said.

“We were hoping that there would be an increase in wages for the teachers. We do get a yearly increment but that’s not enough during this trying time.

“Goods and services are more expensive now, but our salary is still the same.

“If prices keep increasing, we will have trouble coping,” said the mother of four children.

She wants her pay to be raised 5-10%.

“We are not asking for much, just a little bit to cover basic expenses such as car and housing loans and children’s school expenses.”

Corruption

Cuepacs president Adnan yesterday said the budget did not include housing for civil servants.

“The one member, one house programme for military personnel must be extended to all civil servants. They are not asking for free but affordable housing that is compatible with their wages.”

Under Budget 2023, civil servants grade 56 and below will receive RM700, to be paid in April. Contract workers and pensioners will received smaller sums.

A 45-year-old nurse at a government hospital in Klang described the budget as balanced, adding it was good to hear the nation’s top leader taking a serious view of corruption.

She said it would have been better if the government also announced a salary increase but added that she could understand why it did not.

“The RM700 is already good news, at least for me. With such a high national debt, I can understand why there is no pay rise. I can’t complain much.

“If we can reduce corruption, surely our economy will get better. We can attract more investors and make more money. I hope that when things get okay, we will get our increment,” said the mother of two.

A secondary school headmaster in Puchong said the economy must be revived.

“Of course I will be happy if they raise civil servants’ salaries especially for those in lower grades. It will help them a lot in these tough times.

“However, our debt is also scary at the same time. It could have been avoided if the money had been spent correctly and there were no billion dollar scandals.”

“Everyone will benefit if our leaders are honest and transparent. I will give this government a chance to prove itself. When the economy is better, surely we will enjoy the perks.” – February 26, 2023.