GREAT NEWS: 230,000 police and armed forces personnel to be on a par with the rest of civil service
PUTRAJAYA: MORE than 230,000 police and armed forces personnel will enjoy a rise in their salaries following the elevation of their pay scale to put them on a par with the rest of the civil service.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also announced that 1.4 million civil servants, including the police and armed forces, would receive between RM80 and RM320 as part of their annual increment on July 1.
The initiatives, he said, were in appreciation of services rendered and contributions of civil servants to the country. The government has allocated RM2 billion for the overall salary increment and other new initiatives.
Najib said the pay scale streamlining for the security forces was to harmonise the salary grades of the civil service.
"For example, an army or police corporal on Grade 17, will be harmonised with Grade 22 in the civil service," he said at the 13th Premier Gathering of the Civil Service at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here, yesterday.
Elaborating, he said a sergeant on Grade 27 would have the post harmonised with Grade 29.
Captains in the armed forces and police assistant superintendents (ASP) would be bumped up to Grade 44 from Grade 41.
Likewise, an army major and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) on Grade 41, will now be classified as Grade 46A in tandem with the civil service.
The post of military colonel and assistant commissioner of police (ACP) will then be harmonised to Grade 52 of the civil service.
The prime minister attributed Malaysia's progress and development to the noble struggle of its security forces.
Touching on the eight police personnel who died at the hands of terrorists in Sabah, Najib said their sacrifices exemplified the highest level of commitment shown by civil servants towards the nation.
"Their commitment allows us to conduct our activities without worry and fear; allow our children to be safe in schools; allow us to earn a living and at the end of the day, return home to our families.
"We cannot be where we are without the contributions and sacrifices of the security forces."
Najib also expressed his gratitude to the families of the fallen servicemen for the sacrifices of their loved ones.
He had earlier called on more than 7,000 civil servants who attended the gathering to offer prayers for the killed policemen.
"Their sacrifice was not in vain. They departed in the process of fulfilling their trust and responsibility."
Other initiatives undertaken by the government, Najib said, included upgrading the minimum requirement to enter the civil service to those with Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) certification; salary increment for more than 180,000 civil servants who had hit their salary scale ceiling, and allowing 17,000 eligible civil servants to enjoy time-based promotions in their 13th year of service, instead of their 15th year, as previously.
Najib said these initiatives were part of the new remuneration system being carried out, which would work in tandem with an overall study of the Public Services sector to create "a civil service of prestige that is respected".
He said based on the ongoing changes made and input from the Public Services Commission, the new remuneration scheme was now named Sistem Saraan Transformatif (Transformative Remuneration System) or SST.
A total of 182,434 civil servants, who have hit the maximum wage ceiling this year, will receive their increments backdated from Jan 1.
Those yet to experience any salary review will receive a three per cent increment under the Special Salary Movement Scheme (Pergerakan Gaji Khas), subject to conditions.
In line with the Public Services Transformation Programme, the government will also restart 81 services schemes previously reviewed but yet to be implemented.
These schemes include those focused on acknowledging talent, technical expertise, and special schemes for officers and assistant officers.
Another 22 services schemes for 166,541 staff under Grades 1 to 10, would have their scope, functions and responsibilities expanded, in line with the upgrading of the PMR-entry requirement into the civil service.
Najib said the transformation of the public sector was in line with the government's transformation agenda, encapsulated by the 1Malaysia concept.
Najib said a report card on the outcome of these transformation initiatives would be given out on March 19.
Other initiatives undertaken by the government are for a detailed implementation of promotion schemes through the Fast-Track Promotion, Promotion Based on Specialisation, and High-Skilled Promotion.
Najib said the government was for the civil servants, as it had been consistently aware of their needs.
He said this was evident as between 2007 and last year, the basic salary of those in Grade 1 to 40 was increased by 48 per cent, while those in Grades 41 to 54 were increased to 28 per cent.
(From right) Lt Mohd Hafiz Mohamed Sabilan, Constable Maximus Matius, Lance Corporal Fadly Hatim, Assistant Superintendent Bong Kuet Khiun watching a broadcast where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a pay rise for security forces in Lahad Datu yesterday. Pic by Edmund Samunting