[UPDATED] RM2,000 incentive for civil servants a recognition of their service: Anwar

PUTRAJAYA – The Early Incentive Payment of RM2,000 for civil servants Grade 56 and below as announced in Budget 2024 is a recognition of the services of civil servants, pending a review of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also indicated that the government was paying serious attention to the wage rates of the 1.6 million civil servants in the country.

“It is unreasonable to expect better performance, higher productivity, but no increase in the wage rate.

“If we look at a study by DoSM (Statistics Department), there is an increase in productivity, but the increase in the wage rate is moderate. There is no encouragement,” said Anwar, who is also finance minister, at the monthly assembly with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department here today.

Anwar hoped that employers in the private sector would make a similar move, taking into account the current economic factors. 

Regarding the review of the SSPA, Anwar said he wanted it to be completed before the middle of next year so that the outcome could be shared during the tabling of Budget 2025.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the Malaysia Madani Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday, announced the early incentive payments of RM2,000 for all civil servants in grade 56 and below, including contract appointees.

Despite the financial constraints, he said the budget also focused on education, health and basic infrastructure for the people.

“If we are bound too much by financial constraints, this will make the people miserable. For me, when it comes to education, the health of the people in general, that cannot be sacrificed,” he added.

Anwar said the government is looking into measures that can be improved in Budget 2024.

“Whatever is within our means, we will do it to the best, whatever is needed to be improved, we will improve,” he added.

He said the 114-page Budget 2024 was the result of teamwork to plan the country’s budget.

“This budget was tabled by the finance minister, but it is a team effort with the deputy prime ministers leading several cabinet committees, while the KSN (chief secretary to the government) leads the public service machinery. All ministries and departments were also required to provide inputs,” he added.

Meanwhile, Anwar praised the staff of all ministries which had enabled all agendas planned by the government to be implemented successfully.

He attributed the success to commitment, dedication, determination, and sincerity by the civil servants in carrying out the tasks entrusted to them.

“For example, who would have thought that we could resolve the problems of more than 8,600 toilets, which have been going on for decades, in only a few months?” he added. – Bernama, October 16, 2023