Malaysia to make $693M payout to civil servants
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Malaysian leader Najib Razak has announced a 2.2 billion ringgit ($693 million) payout for civil servants and pensioners ahead of general elections widely expected this year, earning a rebuke from opposition lawmakers.
Najib said in a statement late Wednesday that the country's 1.27 million civil servants will receive a half-month bonus and some 660,000 pensioners will be given a special payment of 500 ringgit ($157). The money will arrive next month ahead of the Muslim Eid festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. (AP)
