KUCHING: Sarawak civil servants will get a special incentive payment of one and a half month's basic salary or a minimum RM2,000 this year.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the bonus would be paid before the end of the year.
He also announced a special incentive of RM500 to some 137,000 federal civil servants serving in Sarawak.
"The state government appreciates the contribution and commitment of state and federal civil servants in carrying out their duties and responsibilities professionally throughout the year," he said when winding up the debate on the state Budget 2023 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Thursday (Dec 1).
In his speech earlier, Abang Johari said Sarawak planned to set up its own airline to boost the tourism industry and drive business in the state.
He said the airline would not be profit-motivated but have an economic multiplying effect as its outcome.
"The aim is to connect to international destinations like Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Japan and Bangkok.
"This effort will be a catalyst towards bringing Sarawak to the next level with better connectivity and accessibility to the world," he said, adding that better air connectivity would also accelerate socioeconomic development, trade and ecommerce in Sarawak.
