KUALA KUBU BAHARU – DAP vice chair Teresa Kok has called for a salary hike for members of the police force and Fire and Rescue Department, particularly for those in lower ranks.
Kok highlighted that the starting salaries of RM1,441 and RM1,360 for police and firefighters, respectively, with SPM qualifications, failed to reflect the gravity of their duties.
“This income is too low compared to other jobs and is not enough for those who work in big cities, especially in the Klang Valley. It is more difficult for those who are married,” she told a press conference at DAP’s Kuala Kubu Baharu service centre today.
“The low income for low-ranking police officers (and firefighters) is not commensurate with their jobs, which exposes them to safety risks while keeping the general public safe. They also always have to work irregular hours.”
Responding to an online post recalling an alleged incident in 2022 where she purportedly threatened the police force, Kok clarified that her statement was not prompted by this but rather by a long-standing concern.
“I wanted to issue this statement (earlier), but because I have been busy, I was not able to do so.
“But this is nothing new for me. I have always raised the matter of salary increments in Parliament,” she said, adding that it was too late for her to respond to the online post.
The alleged incident in question occurred on February 26, 2022, when Kok reportedly clashed with police over an extension request for a DAP programme in Johor past 10pm.
Kok explained that disruptions during the event caused delays, suggesting that authorities present could have intervened to manage the situation.
Nonetheless, Kok welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that civil servant salaries would be raised by more than 13%.
Kok’s presence at the press conference today also marked the acceptance of 100 new DAP members, facilitating the establishment of two additional Malay-based party branches in Hulu Selangor – the Taman Bunga Raya 2 and Jalan Seroja branches – bringing the total to five. – May 7, 2024