PUTRAJAYA: The Public Service Department has been directed to set up a promotion pathway for Grade 1 civil servants, namely administrative, clerical and finance assistants.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, said the special pathway, involving 125,000 civil servants, aims to allow those in Grade 1 to advance to Grade 5 under set conditions.
He said the move is necessary to provide lower-grade civil servants with opportunities for career advancement under the Public Service Remuneration System.
"Although promotions are available under the system, there is a need to ensure that the lowest category can progress further.
"Therefore, to improve career advancement opportunities, I have asked the department to establish a promotion pathway from Grade 1 to Grade 5,” he said at a gathering with staff of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry here.
Also present were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk, Armizan Mohd Ali and Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar said the civil servants concerned would need to fulfil several requirements, including attending designated courses, before becoming eligible for the promotion pathway.
"The conditions include the required period of service, and we will provide special courses lasting around two to three weeks.
"PSD is currently managing this. These requirements are intended to ensure that civil servants keep up to date and gain exposure to information technology," he said.
Anwar added that the promotion process for all these civil servants must be completed by Jan 1, 2027, at the latest.
"Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri said that the courses for these 125,000 civil servants can be completed so that promotions can be implemented by Jan 1 next year," he said.
Meanwhile, Shamsul Azri told reporters that this promotion pathway is among the improvements being introduced under the system.
"The main requirement for promotion is to complete the course. The department will determine the details, and we will begin in January 2027," he said. – Bernama
