Siti Kasim Pmx Should Focus On Salary Hike For Frontliners Only Not Across The Board Increment

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SOCIAL activist Siti Kasim has lambasted the salary hike exercise for civil servants which was unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) on Labour Day by contending that it should prioritise front-liners instead of being made an across-the-board exercise.
Expressing shock that the exercise which will take effect with December 2024 salary was carried out so soon after the end-2023 bonus payout, the human rights lawyer named the police, fire-fighters, doctors/nurses and teachers as examples of worthy recipients.
“This is especially so for the police force whereby a beginner constable is only paid a basic of RM1,500 or RM2,500 for inspector which makes it tough to eke a living even with an array of allowances bundled together,” she pointed out in a video clip made accessible on her Facebook page.

“With such pittance sum, it’s little wonder why many police personnel are involved in corrupt practices. The Public Service Department (PSD) must figure out a way to attract quality manpower which can excel when performing their duties.
“After all, I was told that a police constable in Singapore who has just left the police academy can expect to draw as much as S6,000 (RM20,990) a month.”
Elaborating further, Siti Kasim reckoned that prioritising frontliners makes better sense than an across-the-board raise especially amid an over-bloated civil service with certain quarters having claimed that Malaysia has the most bloated civil manpower in the world.
“Henceforth, the government has to focus on the frontliners who are holding important positions in the society to prevent them from being indulged in graft or any immoral activity in addition to enable them to take pride in their job,” justified Siti who launched her political career during the 15th General Elections (GE15) by becoming an independent candidate aligned with the Gerak Independent movement.
“This should be the way rather than making an across-the-board implementation whereby even lazy or underperforming civil servant stand to benefit (Editor’s Note: PM Anwar has said while 95% of the civil service would “definitely” get the announced salary hike in December, 5% of the force would see their pay hike put on review.)
“Above all else, we need to look after their welfare so that they have something to inspire them to take pride in their job. … don’t try to buy votes by increasing salary across-the-board because not everybody deserves such raise.”
Below are some witty comments from netizens as they reacted to Siti Kasim’s views:

- Focus Malaysia

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