Sabah civil servants get RM500 Raya bonus

KOTA KINABALU: More than 21,000 state civil servants will receive their RM500 Hari Raya bonus within two weeks, says Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He said the RM500 was not much, but hoped it would help reduce the burdens of civil servants, especially those celebrating Hari Raya.

"This decision was made after we checked our accounts and taking into account the amount of loans the state government has to pay," he said after handing over Raya cookies and goodies to representatives of security forces here on Tuesday (May 21).

The bonus payout will involve some RM10.5mil in government funds.

In his speech, Mohd Shafie said he hopes there would be no traitors among security forces and civil servants in Sabah, for the sake of the nation.

"We hope everyone in this country can play a part in helping them keep our homes safe from threats and criminal elements by being loyal citizens," he said.

He acknowledged that no amount of words could describe the sacrifice rendered by security forces to ensure the wellbeing of the people and state.

"However, we hope these donation of cookies and goodies from various contributors would in a way let them know of our utmost appreciation for their service," Mohd Shafie said.

He said the security forces personnel sacrificed time away from their families and even put their lives at stake for the sake of the people and state.

"Let us all work together to ensure that our homeland of Sabah continue to prosper in peace and harmony," he said.

Earlier, Mohd Shafie also listened to concerns raised by the various security forces including the Prisons Department on the challenges faced in their daily operations and promised to look into the matter.

"For example, the Prisons Department informed us that jail cells have already exceeded their capacities and cannot take in any more inmates and these are some of the things that needs to be solved," he said.

Also present during the event were chief and representatives from the police, armed forces, Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), Prisons Department, Fire and Rescue Department, as well as maritime.