KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) — The removal of the confirmation-in-service requirement for civil servants with permanent appointments to qualify for haj leave is expected to positively impact performance and work ethics.
Lecturer at the Academy of Islamic Civilisations, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr Siti Norlina Muhamad said the move would enable civil servants to plan their haj pilgrimage in advance without being restricted by a specific period of service.
“This aligns with the current reality, where the waiting period for a haj turn can stretch for decades. With this relaxation, civil servants will no longer have to decline haj offers merely because they are waiting for confirmation of their positions,” she told Bernama.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his address at the 20th edition of the Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (MAPPA XX) yesterday, announced that the government has agreed to abolish the in-service confirmation requirement for haj leave for civil servants with permanent appointments.
Explaining further, Siti Norlina said the decision also allows young civil servants to perform the haj, reducing the risk of missing this important pilgrimage due to age, health, or future cost increases.
In addition, she said the haj pilgrimage is a transformative experience that positively impacts an individual’s personality, particularly in terms of discipline, trust, and responsibility – qualities essential in the public service.
“This government decision symbolises support for human capital development rooted in religious values, encouraging civil servants to fulfil their religious duties to the best of their ability while they are still young.
“It can also help shape individuals with a work culture founded on integrity and ethics,” she added.
Meanwhile, Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat, when contacted, said his organisation believes the move reflects the government’s concern for the spiritual welfare of civil servants, as well as respect for their rights as Muslims.
“Previously, only civil servants who had been confirmed in their positions were allowed to apply for leave to perform the haj pilgrimage, which made it difficult for some, especially those who received an initial offer from the Lembaga Tabung Haji after registering,” he said.
“Usually, haj offers are accepted 10 to 15 years after first registering, and some civil servants have even registered since primary school. If they reject an offer, the next opportunity to perform the haj could take more than 15 years,” he said.
He expressed confidence that this relaxation will not affect the civil service, but rather could boost the morale and integrity of civil servants returning from the haj pilgrimage.
For Nur Raihana Abdul Rahim, 27, a diplomatic and administrative officer, the announcement is seen as an appreciation for young civil servants like herself who were previously ineligible to apply for haj leave because they had not yet been confirmed in permanent service.
“As civil servants whose positions have not been confirmed, this announcement is an appreciation for us. It is a great and meaningful opportunity and shows PMX’s concern for those of us who were previously not eligible to apply for haj leave,” she said.
Norohaida Anita Othman, 45, an administrative assistant, said the move allows civil servants to apply for leave more easily without worrying about the status of their position confirmation.
“I am relieved because previously, there were civil servants who had reached their haj turn but had not yet had their positions confirmed, making it difficult for them to get leave,” she said.
— BERNAMA
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