According to him, top civil servants were currently enjoying a 9% salary increase, while lower-grade civil servants are only given a set increment.

He showed the salary schedule of those in the highest government posts, including the chief secretary and those in Jusa C (a high-ranking category).

“This does not include allowances. First-class staff officers get an allowance of RM14,950 a month,” he said at a press conference at Invoke Space here today. Invoke is an NGO Rafizi started.

He compared this to the yearly increments given to teachers which amounted to RM320 a year for grades DG54, RM290 for DG52 and RM250 for DG44.

“Factoring in their salaries, the increase is no more than 3%. Where is the logic in giving an increment percentage lower than the GST (6%) to staff who already have such low salaries?”

He urged the government to reverse the current practice and give lower increments to higher-ranking officers and higher increments to lower-ranking officers.

“With the economic downturn and the rakyat suffering, the government should reverse it (the practice).

“Even if you don’t give increments to high-ranking officials, it’s fine, but increments are crucial for lower-ranking officers.”

He said the reason he brought this up was because high-ranking government officials had a huge responsibility to the people, especially in taking care of people’s money.

“They are responsible for ensuring the country’s wealth is not swindled by ministers and politicians.”

He urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to respond and readjust salary increments.

“If he does not respond, I will continue to bring up this issue until the next general election.