PETALING JAYA: The proposal to increase the minimum pension rate for government retirees from RM1,000 to RM1,350 will go a long away in helping ease the financial burden on the senior citizens and their dependants.
Retiree A. Inder Singh said the spike in the cost of living in recent years had made it difficult for some to lead decent lives.
“This (proposed increase) will help many retirees, especially those who have to seek immediate medical treatment for chronic diseases at private health facilities,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the move will benefit some 59,000 retirees including armed forces veterans and derivative pension recipients.
A senior government servant, who chose to remain anonymous, said the proposal to implement a one-off “Special for Incumbent” promotion for 12,000 management and professional officers was timely.
“There are some senior senior employees who have not received promotions for some time now.
“This move will make many employees happy,” said the government servant.
Civil servant K. Yuvarany said the one-off promotion was a significant reward for those who have waited long for career advancement due to limited posts in the civil service.
She said the announcement also reflected the government’s concern for long-serving officers who have shown excellent performance.
“The initiative not only opens up avenues for career advancement but also serves as an appreciation of the commitment and sacrifices of civil servants who consistently provide their best for the country,” said Yuvarany, an information officer at the Community Communications Department (J-KOM).
On the RM1,500 Special Financial Assistance, S. Kamalesswari said the aid should be spent wisely and serve as motivation to improve work quality and public service delivery.
She said the assistance should act as a catalyst for greater commitment, productivity and quality in daily duties as a mark of appreciation for the government’s concern.
Muhammad Ikmal Syah Jusoh hoped the aid would help ease living costs, particularly in meeting family needs and household expenses.
“The value of this assistance should not be judged solely by the amount, but by the benefits civil servants will enjoy in managing their daily expenses,” he said.
A teacher and mother of two, who only wished to be known as Faridah, said the move to increase the total maternity leave eligibility throughout their service period from 360 days to 490 days showed the government’s concern for their well-being.
“This will allow mothers to better nurse their newborns,” she said.
When tabling the Budget 2027, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a financial aid of RM1,500 will be given to 1.3 million civil servants from Grade Utama B and below, including contract appointments.
A special financial aid of RM750 will be given to more than one million pensioners, including veterans with and without pensions.
The payments will be made twice.
