PUTRAJAYA — In another sign that Malaysia’s 14th general election is approaching, Prime Minister Najib Razak told civil servants on Tuesday (Oct 3) that they can expect “good news” in Budget 2018.                  

Mr Najib said that perks for the public sector would be announced during the tabling of the Budget on Oct 27.

“I know many of you are waiting for certain announcements. God willing, I will deliver some good news in the Budget. Please be patient,” he told the 5,000 public sector employees at the 15th civil servants' assembly.

The prime minister also called on civil servants to reject the opposition Pakatan Harapan pact, adding that unlike the opposition which often criticises the civil service, the government appreciates the contributions of civil servants in nation building.

“Can you all imagine how majority of you all will fare if we allow the opposition to take over? Are you willing to gamble your future and future of the next generation to such parties?” Mr Najib asked.

He said it was unfair to claim that Malaysia had a bloated civil service by comparing it to other countries.

“With such arrogance, the critics have stated that they will reduce the public sector's manpower to half.

“It is unfair for them to say as such because some of these countries do not include those in the healthcare and security sectors part of their headcount.”

“They also have the audacity of calling civil servants incompetent, and kucing kurap,” Mr Najib said, referring to Democratic Action Party Member of Parliament Jeff Ooi’s comment in 2013 comparing civil servants to mangy cats.

Malaysia’s 1.6 million public servants have long been one of the most reliable vote banks for Mr Najib’s ruling coalition. However, as he prepares for polls that must be held by August next year, he faces warnings that soaring living costs risk eroding that support.

In the previous budget, Mr Najib had announced that the government would allow civil servants to buy homes at discounted prices. Many civil servants also had their contracts extended. Most observers believe that Mr Najib will call for early elections in the first half of next year, though there has been talk it could be as early as this December. 

On Tuesday, the prime minister said the government had undertaken various initiatives for those in the public sector, including raising the workers' salary between seven and 13 per cent in 2012.

Malaysia had also raised the minimum pension from RM720 (S$230) to RM820 for those who had served for 25 years and above on Jan 1, 2012, he added.

Aside from improvements being made to salary structure and services, Mr Najib said the government had also improved the welfare aspect of the public servants.

The prime minister listed several initiatives, including the launch of 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing Project and raise the cost of living allowance by RM50 a month in 2012 for public servants residing at the city outskirts.

“What is important here, all the facilities and incentives enjoyed by the public servants are due to the strong relationship between the government and the public services that are competent and efficient,” he said. AGENCIES