Financial boost soon for Armed Forces, civil servants

The Star

2 days ago

PUTRAJAYA: Improvements to the Armed Forces service scheme and financial incentives to those who pursue further studies at their own expense are among new initiatives announced by the Prime Minister to strengthen the civil service.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government has agreed to extend the performance-based incentive payment (BIP) scheme to cover more ranks in the Armed Forces.
He said the scheme, currently limited to Warrant Officer II (Grade Z6) and Warrant Officer I (Grade Z7) who have served at least six years in their current grade, will now include those holding the rank of Sergeant or equivalent (Grade Z4) and Staff Sergeant or equivalent (Grade Z5).
He said the qualifying service period for BIP in Grades Z4 to Z7 will be shortened from six years to four years.
'This expansion will benefit 3,789 personnel, with an annual financial implication of RM6.47mil, effective Jan 1, 2026,' he said at the 20th Civil Service Premier Assembly.
The Prime Minister also announced the expansion of seven multi-entry qualifications for enlisted members of the armed forces at Grade Z1 (special duties) service scheme to include the medical corps, religious corps and engineering corps.
The Prime Minister also announced an allocation of RM75.7mil to provide a one-off financial incentive to civil servants who begin and complete higher academic qualifications during their service, using their own funds.
Under the Academic Recog­ni­tion Award, 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.
'Those who take the initiative to study on their own, we are giving them a small token of appreciation, even though the budget involves RM75.7mil. Imagine reducing allowances for their spouse just to pay tuition fees.
'This will benefit 91,672 civil servants. It is given once in their career, showing that we encourage them to improve their capabilities on their own initiative,' he said.
To further strengthen the National Institute of Public Admi­nistration's position as a regional and global centre of excellence in public service, the Prime Minister announced an allocation of RM3mil for research and development, focusing on capacity building in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and post-quantum cryptography, among others.
In another move aimed at easing the process for Muslim civil servants to perform the haj, Anwar announced the removal of the service confirmation requirement for permanent appointees.
When met at the event, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan commended the initiative, saying that while government scholarships are available, the number of available spots is limited.
'Some officers pay for their own diploma, bachelor's degree, master's or PhD.
'Now, those eligible will receive this one-off payment, and we will begin processing it soon,' he said.