By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Sept 29: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is pondering ways to increase the salaries of Sarawak civil servants in the hope of eradicating corruption within the civil service, following Singapore’s footsteps.
There are however challenges to overcome before a new salary scale may be introduced to the Sarawak civil service.
Firstly, there must be approval from the Public Service Department (JPA) in the federal government.
“Now, even when we want to create a post, the first thing we must get is the approval from the Pension Department of JPA Kuala Lumpur. We cannot just make changes to the existing system. That is why we have remained where we are.
“Sometimes when there are posts available, they (West Malaysians) themselves take up the posts while some posts are not approved, so we remain the same until today. So, I have to find ways and I ask you to pray about it,” said Abang Johari stressing that he will look into it but there is no promise that it will materialise.
Secondly, for Sarawak to upgrade the existing salary scale which he described as “inadequate”, the State government needs to be financially strong and independent.
Abang Johari said upgrading the civil service pay scale will serve the purpose of eradicating corruption.
“Because of that, we must have financial independence. Why Singapore can and Sarawak can’t? When you talk about corruption, when your salary is not enough, the temptation is there.
“There is no corruption in Singapore’s civil service because of the good pay for civil servants.
“This is not to say that I want to break off the Sarawak civil service from the federal civil service. No. But we have to find ways and means to upgrade civil servants’ salaries,” said Abang Johari at the Sarawak Civil Service Townhall session at a local hotel here on yesterday.
Being pragmatic, he said, it would only be possible to raise the overall pay scale of the Sarawak civil service if Sarawak is financially strong enough. — DayakDaily
