PUTRAJAYA: The government has agreed to extend the Performance-Based Incentive Payment (BIPs) scheme to cover more ranks in the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced Friday (Aug 15).
The Prime Minister said the scheme, currently limited to Warrant Officer II (Grade Z6) and Warrant Officer I (Grade Z7) who have served at least six years in their current grade, will now include those holding the rank of Sergeant or equivalent (Grade Z4) and Staff Sergeant or equivalent (Grade Z5).
“The qualifying service period for BIPs in Grades Z4 to Z7 will be shortened from six years to four years.
"This expansion will benefit 3,789 personnel, with an annual financial implication of RM6.47mil, effective Jan 1, 2026,” he said at the 20th Civil Service Premier Assembly here on Friday (Aug 15).
Anwar also announced the expansion of seven multi-entry qualifications for the Army-Navy Regular Force Grade Z1 (Special Duties) service scheme to include the Medical Corps, Religious Corps and Engineering Corps.
To further strengthen the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) as a regional and global centre of excellence in public service, Anwar announced an allocation of RM3mil for research and development.
He said this will focus on capacity building in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and post-quantum cryptography, as well as governance, human capital development, organisational management, service delivery and public-private collaboration.
Anwar said the government will also continue the APEL.Q @ INTAN initiative in 2026, with RM1.5mil allocated to subsidise up to 50% - or a maximum of RM15,000 - of tuition fees for the programme, whichever is lower.
In another move aimed at easing the process for Muslim civil servants to perform the haj, the Prime Minister announced the removal of the service confirmation requirement for permanent appointees.
“Many have complained through Tabung Haji and the Minister of Religious Affairs that they cannot go for haj without service confirmation. This condition will now be abolished,” he said.
