1.6 million to gain from rationalisation, says Ali

PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants are set to gain more from the rationalisation of the public service scheme, said Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

The Chief Secretary to the Government said raising salary grades and improving entry requirements would allow civil servants to have bigger take-home pays.

He said all 1.6 million civil servants were set to benefit from the rationalisation, which will include salary adjustments for all grades.

“The new scheme will kick off on July 1 and public servants will be given a chance to opt in or opt out. I do not expect most to reject it as they are set to benefit from it,” he said.

“With the introduction of the new minimum wage, those from the lowest grade, which is Grade 11, will earn at least RM1,200. When you add in allowances, the minimum take-home pay is about RM1,500,” said Dr Ali during a press conference.

He said the Government would spend about RM1bil to finance the new public service scheme, which has been accounted for in Budget 2016.

“Although the country’s revenue has been affected by the drop in global oil prices, the Government still kept its word to increase the pay of civil servants.

“We hope this will increase the productivity of the civil service, and the rakyat in turn will enjoy better service,” he said.

Cuepacs president Datuk Azih Muda lauded the rationalisation and said it would help civil servants cope with the rising cost of living.

He said abolishing the lower grades like Grade 17 and replacing it with Grade 19 would mean a new employee will enter their civil service career at a higher level.

“With the rising cost of living, this move is much welcomed and civil servants, both new and existing, stand to gain from this. I urge all civil servants to opt for it,” he said.