COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil today hinted that there may be some good news for civil servants next year, most likely involving a salary increase.

Fahmi, who is the unity government’s spokesman, said the good news would also involve pensioners and would be announced by either the prime minister or the chief secretary to the government.

“First of all, we have approved the White Paper on Progressive Wage Policy for workers in the private sector. So starting in 2024 or the first year of its implementation, we hope to be able to provide private sector workers with better income.

“At the same time, for the public sector, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said before that we already carried out a review of the salary scheme and by 2024, Insya-Allah, there will be a salary increase for civil servants.”

Fahmi said this to reporters after delivering a keynote address at the Public Service Delivery Systems: Making It More Efficient and Effective forum at the National Institute of Public Administration in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the Administrative and Diplomatic Officers Alumni Association today.

Earlier in his speech, Fahmi also said the cabinet had also made several decisions involving civil servants and government pensioners.

“...so expect good news in 2024,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the Communications and Digital Ministry is still carrying out engagement sessions to study the need to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to protect women and children from exposure to sexual attacks in the cyber world.

“We are not ready to bring those amendments to parliament yet because we want to ensure that the engagement process includes feedback from various parties,” he said.

On another development, Fahmi said the government will ensure that public health and safety are always prioritised in the organisation of the Madani government one-year anniversary event this weekend.

He said that for this purpose, the ministry will adhere to the directives and advice from the Health Ministry, especially following the increase in Covid-19 cases reported lately.

“At the moment, the situation is still under control, but it’s important to note that the programme, slated to be held December 8-10, is more of an exhibition for the people to learn about the achievements of the unity government,” he said.

Over 200,000 visitors are expected to gather at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil compound this weekend for the event which aims to deliver and disseminate information on government policies. – Bernama, December 4, 2023.