NST
KUALA LUMPUR: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) is grateful that the government has indicated some “good news” for the civil servants in the 2018 Budget.
Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda said the possibility of “good news” as hinted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the next national budget had brought more optimism for the government

servants about their future.
“Our wishlist for 2018 Budget includes a proposal to increase the service allowances (for employees in the low-pay brackets).
“The last review on this was in 2002. The amount does not match with the needs of current economic situation.
“We ask the government to consider increasing the allowance from a minimum of RM95 to RM180,” he told the New Straits Times today.
Azih said an improvement in the quantum of allowance in the upcoming Budget would augur well for the civil servants as living cost was high now.
He also said Cuepacs was hopeful that the government would introduce two salary increments annually regardless of the positions of the employees.
“While bonuses and increments are helpful, what benefits us more is a lower cost of living.
“We are sure that the government understands the people’s needs. We also ask the government to develop better public transport system such as providing rebates on the fare structure.
“I only ask this because typically when civil servants get any pay rise, the extra money is spent on toll fees and fuel among many other daily needs.”
Azih lauded the efforts by the government to continue giving certain incentives to the civil servants.