THE government is embarking on a comprehensive study to enhance career progression within the administrative assistant service scheme, one of the largest groups in the public service, with the aim of creating clearer, more structured, and effective advancement pathways.
Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the initiative seeks to ensure that promotions and career development opportunities are aligned with the needs of the public service and maintain fairness across the workforce.
“The improvements we are studying are meant to strengthen career paths within the administrative assistant scheme, not to grant automatic grade increases to all incumbents.
This approach is important to ensure that career advancement is fair, well-organised, and aligned with the needs of the public service, while maintaining overall balance in the service structure,” he told Bernama.
The study covers more than 126,000 civil servants, including 106,722 clerical assistants and 20,106 financial assistants.
Wan Ahmad emphasised that the size of the group necessitates careful consideration to mitigate wide-ranging implications on the public service structure.
“In any public service system, career progression usually takes into account key factors such as length of service, academic qualifications, experience, and competency levels,” he explained.
“When evaluating proposals that affect the public service structure, several factors must be considered, including the principle of ‘rate for the job’, ensuring remuneration aligns with the scope and responsibilities of each position.
“In addition, we need to assess the impact on the existing organisational structure, the potential for similar claims from other service schemes, and the significant financial implications for the government.”
The study also incorporates proposals from the Amalgamated Union of Employees in Government Clerical and Allied Services to upgrade qualifications for the scheme to STPM or diploma-level standards.
Wan Ahmad indicated that a thorough review of service structures, career pathways, eligibility criteria, and financial impact will continue until implementation, which is expected in January 2027.
“This period is critical for the Public Service Department to ensure that improvements truly benefit public servants while maintaining overall balance in the public service system.
“This study does not focus on a single scheme alone; it is part of the government’s ongoing effort to ensure the public service remains relevant, balanced and capable of meeting future needs, in line with its goal to strengthen service delivery to the people,” he added.
The review follows a directive from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on March 9 for the department to provide clear promotion pathways for Grade 1 civil servants, encompassing administrative, clerical, and financial assistants. - March 11, 2026
