BANGI: The government's commitment to raise civil servants' salaries starting this December will still be fulfilled, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister said, he and the Public Service Department (PSD) would continue to find ways to ensure that this is realised, despite the government's debt reaching RM1.5 trillion.
"Some said Anwar is not being practical and only wants to be popular, saying that we have no money, but want to increase pay. Others say it is not likely to happen.
"But the PSD is working hard to find ways to make it a reality.
"I don't want anyone to be left behind," he said at the National Union of Teaching Profession's (NUTP) golden jubilee celebration here, today.
Anwar said teachers have waited too long for a raise, but said it was not their fault that the country had debts.
"It is not the teachers who built houses in London, or Australia. It is not teachers who have caused the country to have huge debts.
"So why should they sacrifice?" he said.
Also present were Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, PSD director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and NUTP president Aminuddin Awang.
On Labour Day, Anwar announced a more than 13 per cent increase in civil servants' remuneration, among the highest in Malaysia's history.
The salary increase, effective Dec 1, marked one of the highest in Malaysia's history, with the last revision occurring 12 years ago.