KUALA LUMPUR, For 1.6 million civil servants across the country, this year's Labour Day celebration is indeed a special one following the much-anticipated announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the salary increase, which was last revised 12 years ago. The eagerly awaited news was announced at the National Labour Day celebration today, and many expressed their relief, saying the increase meets their expectations. In KEDAH, Zulaikha Mad, 35, a doctor at a hospital, said the more than 13 per cent salary raise announced by the prime minister provides relief to her and other medical officers, motivating them to work harder and serve the community better. Echoing her sentiment is Rizalina Mad Saat, 45, a nurse at Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar, PERLIS, who described the wage hike as proof of the government's high level of concern for the welfare of the country's public servants. 'Alhamdulillah, I am very grateful for the announcement of the salary increase. In this challenging economic s ituation, it is a good measure by the government,' she added. Nor Azian Mohd Noor, 43, an officer at a university in TERENGGANU, said although the measure took some time to be implemented, it would lessen the pressures brought about by the rising cost of living, 'The salary increase should have been implemented long ago because the cost of living in the past 10 years has risen dramatically, putting immense pressure on the B40 and M40 groups,' she said. Qistina Izfarina Ahmad Fahmi, 31, and Mohamad Shafiq Mohd Nor, 29, government workers in PERAK, lauded the effort by the government, adding that the initiative provides great relief. Rozita Ab Rahman, 41, a teacher in KELANTAN, expressed the same sentiment, adding that it would help lessen her financial burden since her husband has been unemployed for a decade due to health issues. Brendon Jeremiah Tan, 44, a policeman in PENANG, expressed appreciation to Anwar for the eagerly-awaited announcement, saying that the raise came at the right time in line with the rising cost of living. According to Haslydia Azizan, 42, and Marlia Abu Bakar, 33, a primary school teacher and a nurse in JOHOR said they believed that the salary increase could strengthen the purchasing power of government workers, which will subsequently have a positive impact on the country's economy. A programme producer in MELAKA, Nur Farah Huda Sahiran, 28, said the salary raise was the government's recognition of the efforts of civil servants, especially those on the field assisting the community in various matters. Source: BERNAMA News Agency