PETALING JAYA: Those critical of the government should check their facts, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said this is especially so when it comes to the recent salary adjustment for civil servants, adding that Bank Negara and the Statistics Department had reported 5.9% economic growth in the second quarter.
"The pay raises for civil servants range from 15% to up to 40% for certain categories. However, some criticised and questioned if it was true," said Anwar.
"These people need to learn, read, and understand first before criticising. If they don't understand, they should ask.There are channels available where they can ask questions," he added.
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Anwar then said that the salary raise should not be politicised, as it was done to help the people.
"That is not acceptable," he said in his address while presenting the Madani Economy report at the closing ceremony of the Southern Zone Madani Rakyat (PMR) Programme 2024 in Johor on Saturday (Aug 17).
Anwar said the pay rise is the biggest since the last adjustment was done more than 10 years ago and added that it was decided based on careful calculations by the Public Service Department.
"This is so that lower-income civil servants will receive higher percentage raises to narrow the gap with higher-income earners," he said.
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Anwar also acknowledged there has been criticism claiming that the government is not Islamic enough or is beholden to DAP.
However, he said the government has consistently defended the country's Islamic status, minority rights and economic opportunities for all.
"Since achieving Merdeka, we have never abandoned these principles. So do not listen to the accusations - they (the critics) have never worked, and only degrade others."
Anwar noted that the focus should be on providing good education for our future generation, fighting corruption and working together to develop Malaysia as a great country, rather than engaging in political accusations and insults.
