IPOH, August 21 - Civil servants in Perak are expected to receive a salary increase as announced by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the federal level.

Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said few adjustments will be implemented according to the state government’s financial position.

According to him, the increase of civil servants’ salary will definitely have financial implications but the state government will find financial resources to ensure its implementation.

“Of course there will be financial implications. Whether we want it or not we have to find financial allocations. It has been like that all the time. So Insya-Allah, there will be sustenance for each person," he said to reporters after completing the launching ceremony of the Muslim Friendly Travel Packages in conjunction with Visit Perak 2024 here on Tuesday.

Saarani previously said the increase of civil servants’ salary in Perak will involve major financial implication due to the number of staff in the state amounting to almost 9,000 people.

On August 16, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a phased salary adjustment for civil servants of 15 percent for the implementing and the management and professional group while the top management group will be seven percent.

Meanwhile, Saarani said Muslim tourism industry is encouraged and from the value aspect, this market is expected to reach USD300 billion by 2026, increasing from USD220 billion as of now.

Therefore, he welcomed efforts to attract tourists through the Muslim Friendly Travel Packages in conjunction with the Visit Perak 2024.

“Perak offers attractive Muslim tourism including Ubaidah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar, Tuminah Hamidi Mosque in Bagan Datuk, Seribu Selawat Mosque in Pangkor and Cina Mosque in Tasek Ipoh.

“If these mosques are developed into a tourist attraction, of course it will attract tourists because each mosque has its own unique features, whether it is its contents, design or history, and that is a type of product that is in demand nowadays.

“So that’s why we promote Muslim tourism. If we truly promote it, out of the millions of Islamic tourists, if half of them could visit Perak, it would provide a significant return for hoteliers and tourism industry players," he said.