KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): Despite the total remuneration paid to civil servants rising further to RM79.15 billion under Budget 2018, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the matter is "under control".

Liow said the increasing size of the emolument expenditure is mainly because the Malaysian economy is growing as well.

"Our number of government servants has increased, at the same time our economy is growing. Emolument is a thing that we have to handle, to ensure that we are able to sustain our operating cost. As of now, I think we are able to control the numbers," he told reporters.

"We have to ensure that we are able to service the people well and ensure that the economy grows," he added.

Noting that the health sector has been allocated RM27 billion in the budget, Liow said RM15 billion of the amount will be used for emoluments for doctors and nurses.

"We got 250,000 staff there (and) this is a functional service, very important to the people," he said.

Liow also commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for presenting an "inclusive" budget.

"All areas are covered, at the same time it is a budget to grow the economy further, as you can see that there is a lot of encouragement to empower the private sector to invest as well as to open up new markets," he said.

"For the Ministry of Transport, more than RM10.48 billion is allocated. This is important for logistics growth. PM has said that the logistics sector must be further enhanced to capture the digital economy," he added.