DENGKIL: Development of housing projects with lower rental rates for civil servants will be carried out by the government in efforts to look after the welfare of this group, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said this is because he found that civil servants were facing serious problems with house rent during his visit to several states such as Penang, Perak, Johor and Negri Sembilan.
“We will develop housing for civil servants with cheap rent, so it will not burden the family.
“These are the steps we are taking; we will expedite it,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at the Jameatus Solehah Mosque here yesterday.
Anwar said although the government had increased the salaries of civil servants, the issue of increasing rental rates is still a problem in several states, Bernama reported.
“Even though we increase their salaries by between 15% (and to) a maximum of 30%, sometimes they cannot cover the increased rent in Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Ipoh,” the Prime Minister added.
He said government-owned land had been identified to be used for the housing.
“Whether for the Customs Department or the police, as soon as there is space, we will develop housing for civil servants,” he said.
