PRESS secretaries to several ministers have not been paid salaries for months despite being employed since the unity government took office last November, reports Free Malaysia Today.

The report added that they have not been paid because their letters of appointment are unsigned.

Some of them told FMT that they were in the dark over the matter, adding that they could not carry on much longer without salaries and might have to resign.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one said he did not receive a single sen this year while another was contemplating working for a corporation but did not want to “leave the minister halfway”. 

“I only get allowances for when I travel. Otherwise, I am living on my savings, which I think can only last up to the end of the year. I really enjoy working in the ministry but I don’t think I can go any longer than December if there isn’t any pay,” an aide was quoted as saying.

It is believed the delay was caused by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim not signing their letters of appointment.

“I have no idea why there is a delay. I don’t even know how much I am going to get paid,” the source said, adding that even the ministers were unsure of how much the press secretaries would receive.

Another press secretary said he had written to the Public Services Department through the minister’s senior private secretary but had yet to receive any response.

It is learnt that the problem of not being paid affected other officers in some ministries as well. – July 2, 2023.