DENGKIL, June 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will build housing for civil servants with lower rent to ensure public employees’ welfare.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said this is as he saw civil servants facing serious problems with rent during his visit to several states including Penang, Perak, Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
“We will develop housing for civil servants with cheap rent … so it will not burden the families. These are the steps we are taking, we will expedite it,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Jameatus Solehah here today.
Anwar said although the government has increased civil servants’ salaries, rising rental rates is still a problem in several states.
“Even though we increase their salaries by between 15 (to) a maximum of 30 per cent, sometimes in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Ipoh, they cannot cover higher rent,” he said.
He said some government-owned land has been earmarked for the housing project.
“Whether for customs or police (personnel), as soon as there is space, we will develop housing for civil servants,” Anwar said.
