KUALA LUMPUR: The Regional Incentive Allowance for public officers serving in Sabah and Sarawak has not been reduced, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said the government, through Public Service Circular No. 1 of 2024 on the implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) for federal public officers, did not cut or reduce any allowances, including the Regional Incentive Allowance.
"Under the SSPA, the government introduced a fixed-rate structure that maintains the existing allowance for recipients while introducing new rates for newly eligible officers," he said during his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat here on Monday (Feb 9).
Dr Dzulkefly said the rate for existing recipients is based on the last amount received before the SSPA took effect.
For newly appointed or newly eligible officers, the new fixed rates range from RM270 to RM960 per month.
"The fixed-rate structure was introduced under the SSPA on Dec 1, 2024," he said.
He added that reverting to the previous allowance method is under the authority of central agencies.
The Health Ministry, however, will continue to provide feedback to ensure the welfare of healthcare personnel in Sabah and Sarawak is safeguarded.
"The Regional Incentive Allowance remains a key incentive to attract and retain healthcare workers in regions with critical manpower needs," he said.
Doctor and pharmacist groups had raised concerns over a potential loss of nearly RM8,000 a year from the fixed-rate allowance for medical and pharmacy officers.
