GUA MUSANG: The new salary adjustments for civil servants announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today is reasonable, given that there have been no adjustments for 12 years, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who is deputy prime minister and Umno president, said the adjustment is necessary, particularly for civil servants in the support group.
"The salary adjustment is reasonable due to the high cost of living, and we know that they are very burdened. This announcement will provide some relief.
"I also hope that the salary increase won't be accompanied by a rise in the price of goods. We expect that the inflation rate, now at 3.5 per cent, will be curbed by monitoring from the enforcement agencies," he said.
Zahid who is also the rural and regional development minister, was speaking to reporters after meeting the Orang Asli community in Pos Pulat here today.
The prime minister earlier today announced a 15 per cent salary adjustment for the Implementing, Management and Professional groups in the civil service, and seven per cent for the top management group.
The salary adjustment will be carried out in two phases, with Phase 1 on Dec 1, 2024, and Phase 2 on Jan 1, 2026.
Meanwhile, Zahid said the move to bring wounded Palestinian civilians to Malaysia for treatment was the prime minister's decision.
Anwar, he said, was concerned over the plight of the Palestinians in the wake of savage attacks by Israel on Gaza.
"Once they are treated and recover, InshaAllah (God willing) efforts will be made to send them back home to live a normal life," he said.
This afternoon, The two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft carrying 127 injured Palestinian civilians landed at the RMAF Subang Air Base.
The Airbus A400M airlifters flew from the Al Maza Air Base in Egypt, and arrived around 2pm.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said the majority of the injured civilians, who are dealing with trauma and physical injuries, will be diagnosed by army medical personnel before being treated at the Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital.