Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced several new initiatives today to strengthen the civil service, including improvements to the service scheme of the Malaysian armed forces, financial incentives under the academic recognition awards and allocations to strengthen Intan, the national institute of public administration.
He said the measures are in line with the government’s commitment to improving the efficiency, professionalism, and welfare of civil servants at all levels, thereby ensuring that the national development agenda can be implemented more effectively.
For the armed forces, a performance-based incentive scheme will be extended to those holding the ranks of sergeant and staff sergeant, with the qualifying period reduced from six years to four years, benefitting 3,789 personnel.
Anwar said the government has allocated RM75 million to provide a one-off financial incentive to civil servants who complete higher education at their own expense during their service.
The incentive amounts are set at RM1,250 for a doctorate, RM1,000 for a master’s degree, RM750 for a bachelor’s degree, and RM500 for a diploma or equivalent qualification.
In addition, the prime minister said RM3 million has been allocated to strengthen Intan’s role as a reference centre for public service excellence.
Anwar‘s announcement was made at a gathering of civil servants today, involving about 30,000 members of the public services who were present in person as well as by virtual attendance.
Cuepacs, the federation of public service unions, thanked Anwar for the new incentives, such as the relaxation of haj pilgrimage requirements for civil servants who have not yet been confirmed in their positions.
Its president, Adnan Mat, also commended the government for extending the lifelong learning programme until 2026, and the provision of one-off academic recognition rewards ranging from RM500 to RM1,250 for those who have completed their studies independently, without government funding.
Commenting on the prime minister’s call for civil servants to embrace change or risk falling behind, Adnan said civil servants must be proactive in embracing change. “If we don’t change, we risk being left behind. The old mindset of working in comfort and complacency must be replaced with a culture of continuous transformation,” he said.
