Civil servants can expect another increment in July, as promised

PUTRAJAYA: True to his word that he listens to views, the Prime Minister says government servants will get another increment in July apart from their annual salary raise.

This will cover all 1.6 million civil servants in the country and is “in recognition of your loyalty, support and dedication in serving the people, in executing all our initiatives so that the rakyat enjoys the benefits”, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced to thunderous applause at the Civil Service Premier Assem­bly at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

The additional increment will cost the Government RM1.46bil.

Najib said he had approved a list of suggestions to boost the civil service plus additional incentives.

Another announcement that received positive response was the granting of seven days’ unrecorded leave to non-Muslim staff to carry out spiritual journeys and participate in religious activities.

The Prime Minister had announ­ced in Budget 2018 that Muslim civil servants could take seven days’ unrecorded leave to perform the umrah.

“From this year, the same facility is being extended to non-Muslim staff. This reflects the Government’s respect for religious and ethnic diversity in this country,” he said.

Najib said he agreed to implement a second time-based promotion system, shortened from 13 to 10 years, effective this January.

This would cost the Government RM34mil this year and involves 13,006 officers, he added.

“This is a suggestion by civil servants themselves. I am pleased to announce the Government’s willingness to put it into effect,” he said.

A new grade, BG56, will be created in the teaching services to allow promotion for those who have been in Grade 54 for more than five years.

The creation of this grade will take effect next January and is expected to give 323 officers a chance for promotion.

Najib also had something in store for the 800,000 government pensioners, who will receive a one-off increment in their pension for six months between July 1 and Dec 31.

“This 1% increase is in addition to the 2% which pensioners got from Jan 1. This increment will benefit all pensioners in the country, including the one who is 93 years old,” he said in reference to his political rival, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib also announced:

• Parents of contract officers will be entitled to medical facilities, benefiting 42,867 officers;

• An annual fund of RM3mil for Cuepacs;

• A fund of RM1mil for three government pensioners’ associations; and

• A special Haj quota for pensioners.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Za­­hid Hamidi, Cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Public Services Department director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman and go­­vern­­ment officials.