PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants Grade 40 and below may receive up to a 42.7% pay hike following the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), says Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the guidelines related to the salary adjustments for civil servants are expected to be announced next week.
“Starting next week, we will have a better outlook of the salary increase for civil servants, which is expected to be between 15% and 42.7%.
“Those at the (higher ranking level) such as Chief Secretary to the Government and director-general level, the increase will be more modest,” he told reporters after a post-Cabinet meeting at the ministry headquarters here yesterday.
The unity government spokesperson added that the Cabinet also discussed several aspects involving financial implications for the salary adjustments, which need to be presented to the Cabinet and also during the tabling of Budget 2025 in October.
“Details such as the amount that needs to be allocated for the salary adjustment for civil servants will be refined further in the Budget 2025 papers,” he added.
On Aug 6, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said several preliminary details of the updated SSPA would be announced soon and a full announcement would be made when Budget 2025 is tabled in October 2024.
Meanwhile, Public Service Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Mohd Shaiful Ibrahim on Aug 5 said civil servants would be able to calculate their expected salary increase in a week.
He added that the details would be announced at the 19th Civil Service Premier Message Gathering (Mappa) event on Aug 16.
On a separate matter, Fahmi said the violent riots taking place in the United Kingdom targeting certain groups caused by the spread of fake news served as a reminder for Malaysia not to take the spread of fake news lightly.
“We faced a similar situation after the last general election. There was a surge of fake news being spread widely on social media platforms where the contents were extreme and leaning towards 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues.
“In Malaysia, we have held more discussions with social media platforms to ensure that they are also proactive to assist in curbing the spread of fake news, especially those involving 3R issues,” he said.
According to international media reports, UK authorities are facing growing pressure to end the worst rioting in the country in 13 years, which was triggered by a stabbing in Southport on July 29.
It was understood that violent riots broke out by the far-right groups in the United Kingdom targeting minorities and places of worship since Aug 4 after a social post shared false information claiming the suspect is a Muslim.
Malaysia was among the first countries to issue a travel advisory when the riots broke out urging its citizens residing in the United Kingdom or travelling to the country to stay away from areas affected by the protests.
It also urged Malaysians to remain vigilant and follow the latest updates as well as instructions from local authorities as well as to register with the Malaysian High Commission in London.
