Military service scheme upgrade to attract more diploma holders

New Straits Times

14 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Improvements to the armed forces service scheme are set to attract more diploma holders by offering higher starting salaries and enhancing the overall quality of its personnel.
Armed forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar said the Public Service Department (PSD) will detail the new entry qualifications and starting salary adjustments in an official implementation letter, which will take effect from Jan 1, 2026.
"Out of the 21 proposed entry qualifications, seven have been approved.
"We are grateful to the prime minister for the Madani government's commitment to enhancing the quality of public service," Mohd Nizam told Bernama yesterday.
During the 20th edition of the Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (MAPPA XX), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also announced the expansion of the entry qualifications for enlisted members of the armed forces at Grade Z1 (special duties) to include the Medical Corps, Religious Corps, and Engineering Corps.
The performance-based incentives (BIP) will be extended to other ranks, namely Sergeant Equivalent (Grade Z4) and Staff Sergeant Equivalent (Grade Z5), while the qualifying period for BIP has been reduced from six years to four years, benefiting 3,789 personnel with an estimated financial implication of RM6.47 million annually.
On the BIP, Mohd Nizam said the incentive will be given as a monthly allowance, equivalent to one Annual Salary Increment (KGT) for the rank held.
"This extension benefits armed forces personnel by considering the shorter service period (21 years) and limited promotion opportunities," he said.
Mohd Nizam highlighted that three proposed improvements to the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) for the armed forces remain under review.
These include the reclassification of armed forces grades and the alignment of Jusa C grades for Brigadier General-equivalent ranks based on length of service.
"The review also involves strengthening the criteria for allowance grants, revising eligibility conditions, and extending career development initiatives for armed forces personnel," he added.