PUTRAJAYA, March 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has asked the Public Service Department (PSD) to continue the discussion with the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) on the issues concerning the public service remuneration system in view of the rising cost of living.

Cuepacs president Datuk Adnan Mat said he was informed of the matter during a courtesy call on the newly-appointed Director-General of Public Service (KPPA) Datuk Zulkapli Mohamed, today.

Adnan said they were informed that the prime minister already has a plan regarding salaries and wages of civil servants so as to ensure that they have a comfortable disposable income and will remain committed to carrying out their duties.

"Cuepacs appreciates the prime minister’s concern regarding salaries and wages of civil servants, which in his view do not commensurate with the level of work and commitments shown,” he said in a statement.

Adnan said the call for the government to re-evaluate the salaries and wages of civil servants was reasonable as the cost of living had also risen so drastically.

"The prime minister’s pledge to relook into the public service remuneration system when the country’s finances improve has indeed given hope to about 1.6 million civil servants,” he said.

At the same time, Adnan said Cuepacs called on all civil servants to be patient while the government tries to find a solution to the issues.

He said Cuepacs remains confident that the leadership combination of Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and KPPA Zulkapli would continue to bring the voices and aspirations of the civil servants to the attention of the government.

The KSN and KPPA’s openness to hearing the views and suggestions from Cuepacs on matters relating to civil servants in every engagement session is very much appreciated, he said.

"Cuepacs also hoped that the KSN and the KPPA will continue negotiating with the government to find the best solutions to the issues of salaries and wages of civil servants in view of the rising cost of living,” he added. — Bernama