LANGKAWI: The government is trying to slightly raise the salaries of civil servants through the second MADANI Budget that will be tabled in Parliament this October, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said this is a temporary measure until a comprehensive study on the salary and retirement scheme for civil servants is completed, which is expected next year.

"While waiting for the study to be completed next year, I will try to increase the salary slightly through the MADANI Budget this October," he said in his speech when officiating at the Geopark Discovery Centre here today.

Anwar said it has been the government's policy to review the salary scheme for civil servants every 10 years and this should have been done two years ago.

However, the Prime Minister said the previous government did not look into the matter and a meeting to discuss the issue was not even held.

"They have not held a meeting when I checked with the Public Service Department (JPA).

"The salary scheme for civil servants is supposed to be reviewed every 10 years and the increment will depend on the government's financial situation," he said adding that a slight increment should be given due to inflation.

Anwar said following a meeting with the KSN, the Treasury secretary-general (KSP) and the KPPA, the matter was looked into.

"We re-examined the files and as the Minister of Finance, I said we must decide on giving salary increments to civil servants, including the police, military personnel as well as Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) staff," he said.

On July 13, the Prime Minister said there has been a proposal to improve the civil service salary scheme in stages, based on the country's economic capabilities and this would be discussed in a meeting with the KSN Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and KPPA Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed.

Meanwhile, Anwar informed that the government has also agreed to provide an overseas allowance for civil servants working in Langkawi as enjoyed by civil servants from Sabah and Sarawak working in the peninsula (regional incentive payment).

"There was also a proposal to provide a sea ambulance to cater to the people in Pulau Tuba but I don't think this is not the right time for it (because of the state election)," he said.

On Langkawi, Anwar said in an effort to rapidly develop the resort island, the government departments and government link investment companies (GLIC) must be well-coordinated in implementing certain programmes.

"Big government companies like TNB, Khazanah must pay attention and have a plan to elevate Langkawi's position as a top tourist destination," he said.

As for private company employees in the country, Anwar said the government is in the final stages of its study to provide a financial allocation to help raise the wages of workers in the sector.

-- BERNAMA