PENANG has directed its state secretariat to study a raise for the civil service following a 13% wage increment accorded by the federal government.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive councillors would discuss the matter at their weekly meeting tomorrow in Komtar.
Chow, who will chair the meeting, said the state financial officer would study the expenditure involved in the proposal.
The federal government expects to spend RM10 billion more a year to pay its 1.7 million public workers.
“We need to consider the financial situation. We need to allocate a budget if this is implemented at the state level. I believe it will be a challenge for some states to cover the additional expenditure,” Chow, who is also the Batu Kawan MP, said.
Under the new public service remuneration system, the Finance Ministry will ensure that the standard minimum wage for civil servants exceeds RM2,000 monthly as the government pushes for higher salaries to offset inflation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, has urged the private sector to emulate the public sector's salary hikes.
Meanwhile, Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim announced today that his party colleague, Sungai Bakap assemblymen Nor Zamri Latiff was in stable condition.
Nor Zamri Latiff’ medical condition was revised from serious to stable at the Seberang Jaya Hospital today after he suffered a stomach inflammation on Tuesday.
He was admitted into the intensive care unit and sedated to help in the treatment.
Nor Zamri is a first-term assemblyman. He defeated Pakatan Harapan's Norhidayah Che Ros, who is the Penang Wanita PKR head, in last year's state elections. – May 2, 2024.
