THE Public Services Department is looking into the claim of several ministers’ press secretaries that they have not been paid their salaries since November.

Public Services director-general Dr Zulkapli Mohamad said immediate action will be taken to address the allegation.

“We will look into it and gather more information so that action can be taken,” he told Berita Harian today.

A source told the Malay daily the matter was never brought up at any of the meetings this year.

“In the most recent meeting, an officer raise concerns about salary payments but they were not related to the press secretaries not getting paid,” the source was quoted as saying in the report.

It was reported yesterday that some press secretaries to ministers had not been paid since the unity government took office in November.

The report said they were not paid because their letters of appointment were unsigned.

Some of the aides told FMT they might resign. One of them, who asked not to be identified, said he had not receive a single sen this year while another was contemplating quitting but did not want to leave the minister stranded. 

“I only get an allowance when I travel. Otherwise, I am living on my savings, which would only last until the end of the year. I really enjoy working at the ministry but I don’t think I can go any longer than December if there isn’t any pay,” an aide said.

It is believed the delay was caused by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s failure to sign 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 the ministers themselves were unsure how much the press secretaries would receive.

Another press secretary said he had written to the Public Services Department through his boss’ private secretary but had yet to receive a response.

It is learnt that officers in some ministries have also not been paid. – July 3, 2023.