THE Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) is confident that the government will be committed to raising the salaries of civil servants, regardless of the results of the recently concluded state polls.

Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said it was not appropriate to say that the government will not implement it because the outcome of the elections is not related to the matter.

“Some social media users say whatever form (of initiatives) announced by the government previously should not be given to civil servants because of the results of the state polls. This is a skewed and unconstitutional view.

“The government is our employer, that’s the place for us to make our concerns heard and seek help. If our employers agreed to hike salaries, then we are confident the government can implement it. Whether the state election results are seen as positive or negative… that is another topic,” he said.

Adnan told reporters this after the civil servants’ assembly and the 2023 Terengganu-level National Day celebration today.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently said the government would try to slightly raise the salaries of civil servants through the second Madani budget that will be tabled in parliament in October.

He was also reported to have said this is a temporary measure until a comprehensive study on the salary and retirement scheme for civil servants is completed sometime next year.

Adnan said that the prime minister’s continued commitment showed an understanding of the difficulties faced by civil servants, especially those in the lowest income group.

“Cuepacs thanks the prime minister, who has been consistent about wanting to raise the salaries of civil servants,” he said. – Bernama, August 16, 2023.