KUCHING: The government’s move to review the Public Service Remuneration Scheme is seen as timely to ensure the welfare and well-being of the civil servants considering that the last time the scheme was reviewed was more than 10 years ago.
A civil servant, Robin Junang, 56, said the study needs to take into account the cost of living and the needs of civil servants to ensure they continue to be competent and dynamic to improve their services.
He said the study should also include remuneration that can strengthen the spirit and encourage civil servants to learn new knowledge.
“The cost of living in cities has increased by more than 40 per cent compared with 10 years ago and this requires improvements including allowances and fixed remuneration for civil servants,” he told Bernama.
He was commenting on Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali’s statement yesterday regarding the review of the Public Service Remuneration Scheme study which would cover the overall aspects of public service namely remuneration, organisational development and talent management to ensure the welfare and well-being of civil servants.
Mohd Zuki said the study will emphasise the sustainability of civil servants’ remuneration to ensure that wages, salaries and allowances are commensurate with responsibilities and in line with the increase in the cost of living.
He also said that while the study is being carried out, the government will make improvements to the allowance facility to be made part of the Budget MADANI which will be tabled in October.
Meanwhile, another civil servant, Sharifah Hafizah Wan Adeni, 37, hopes that the study will consider a higher rate of annual salary increment (KGT) for the lower-grade implementing group in the public service.
She said that currently, KGT for those in Grade 11 is only RM80 per year and throughout the 13 years she has been in service, KGT has only been increased by RM10 per year.
Apart from that, she said allowances such as fixed remuneration and housing allowance need to be revised to be in line with the current needs of civil servants. – BERNAMA
