KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has urged the government to continue giving Hari Raya bonus to Felda settlers and civil servants, as a token of appreciation for their hard work.
Its Strategic Communication Unit, in a statement today said national debt should not be made an excuse to stop the practice.
“Do not use the RM1 trillion debt as an excuse not to give out Raya handouts,” the statement read.
Umno added that, in giving out the payment, Pakatan Harapan government should also justify the amount given.
“Under the previous Barisan Nasional government, everyone in the government sector received RM500 bonus annually for their hard work."
"The Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had previously said that our economy was strong.
“But, when asked about the Raya bonus, he gave the excuse that our economy was weak and would only consider it only for the lower income civil servants.
"However, (until now) it has to be confirmed.” it said.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said the government has agreed to pay a bonus to the country’s 1.6 million civil servants in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri,
However, he said the quantum of the bonus has yet to be determined.
Previously, the BN government, during the tabling of the 2018 Budget, had announced a special allowance of RM1,500 for the civil servants.
A sum of RM1,000 had been paid out in January while the balance was scheduled to be paid before Aidilfitri.
