KOTA KINABALU: The salaries and wages of civil servants will be discussed again when the country's coffers improve and the nation's fiscal deficit can be reduced, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that although he was personally not satisfied with the salary and wages of public servants compared to their duties and commitments, the rate of increment needed to be assessed based on the country's current financial capability.
"If our coffers improve and the deficit reduces, then we can (increase salary and wages).
"When I look at civil servants doing good work in the states, and the revenue increases, the process (of raising salary and wages) can be expedited.
"Just that for now, I think it's difficult. We will discuss it first," he told a media conference after delivering the mandate to state and federal civil servants at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, on Tuesday (Feb 28).
Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. – Bernama