By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, May 3 — Selangor state civil servants can anticipate a minimum 13 per cent increment in their salaries, in line with the recent announcement by the Federal government to increase civil service salaries, announced Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin said the salary adjustment would impact all state civil servants and would be synchronised with the December 2024 timeline set for Federal civil servants.
The last salary adjustment made for state civil servants was in 2007.
“The salary hike budget will be proposed in next year’s budget, but if it is enforced in December this year, the state will utilise its funds or propose a supplementary budget. However, we have to wait for the federal government’s circular on the salary adjustment to streamline the implementation.
“So, their (state civil servants) salaries will be increased by at least 13 per cent starting December, but we will provide more details once we receive the circular from the Federal government,” he said during a press conference held at the State Legislative Assembly building here today.
Amirudin assured the salary hike would undergo financial due diligence and expressed hope it would motivate public servants to enhance productivity and service levels.
He called upon the private sector to emulate the recent announcement and raise employee salaries, ensuring competitive wages aligned with those of other developed countries.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced civil servants would receive a pay hike of over 13 per cent, effective December, to mitigate rising living costs and inspire productivity among civil servants.
On a separate matter concerning Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon’s recent incident with local residents that went viral, Amirudin said an investigation into the incident would be conducted.
“Such incidents could happen among local councillors as well. Perhaps it is a matter of individuals, but we will investigate the matter thoroughly, whether the matter was framed to damage the image of the state government or otherwise.
“But I admit there may be mistakes on our part in terms of our responses and PR (public relations),” he said.
The incident involving Zahri and Petaling Jaya residents irked Malaysian netizens over the former’s behaviour, prompting a resurgence of the conversation surrounding the imperative of local council elections.
Amirudin said the matter should not be scrutinised based on local council elections alone, but rather viewed holistically as to whether the matter will be accepted by Malaysians as a whole.
“Local council elections represent a reform that encompasses not just the appropriate (government) departments but also the laws that govern them, so they are not the sole solution to such a situation.
“While they may be highly accepted in urban areas, it may not be the same in rural areas. It’s essential to strike a balance in representation between urban and rural areas.
“This issue requires careful examination in its entirety and it cannot proceed solely at the state level, but must involve the Federal government as well. This is because we have the Local Government Act that needs to be reviewed by all stakeholders,” he added.
