By BERNAMA
The additional salary increment for civil servants as promised by the previous government is being studied on whether it can implemented.
Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar said a detailed study on the matter would be carried out by taking into consideration the country’s current financial position.
Asked on the time frame needed for the study, Ismail said it might take one or two years.
“Actually the matter (additional salary increment) is still under study and we have to take into consideration the financial position of the government on whether it could go on or not.
“I will look at the matter and bring it to the party who could make a decision.
“I cannot comment further, but considering the high debt burden, we feel the matter should be relooked,” he said after attending a dialogue session with Johor civil servants at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor Baru yesterday.
Also in attendance was Johor State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani.
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak, who was also the finance minister then, announced an additional increment for 1.6 million civil servants effective July at the 16th Civil Service Premier Gathering in April, which was attended by about 10,000 members of the civil service in Putrajaya.
The additional increment was in appreciation of the service and sacrifice made by civil servants as the loyal friends of the government. The increment would have involved a financial implication of RM1.46 billion. The award would have meant that civil servants will get an additional salary increment on top of the annual increment for 2018.
Meanwhile, Ismail said a study to downsize government departments is being carried out to avoid overlapping functions.
He said the study is expected to be done by the first quarter of next year.
“After the restructuring is completed, we will enter phase two to (study) the agencies with overlapping functions and so on. We will look at reducing according to the need,” said Ismail, who added that there are many departments involved in the study.
Asked on any good news for civil servants during the tabling of Budget 2019 on Nov 2, such as bonuses, Ismail declined to comment and told civil servants to wait for the announcement.
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