By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 7: Civil servants will receive Bantuan Khas Kewangan Aidilfitri 2023 (Aidilfitri Special Financial Assistance) of RM600, which will be paid in March 2023.
The Federal government has also agreed to give a 2023 Special Additional Salary Increment of RM100 to all civil servants Grade 11 to 56 effective January next year, which will incur a financial implication of RM1.5 billion.
Additionally, the government will also provide Special Financial Assistance of RM700 to 1.3 million civil servants Grade 56 and below, as well as RM350 to 1 million government pensioners, with financial implications amounting to RM1.3 billion.
This was announced by Finance Minister Senator Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz when tabling the Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He mentioned that this year (under Budget 2022), the government has implemented several initiatives for the benefit of civil servants which included reduction in financing rates for computer and smartphone loan schemes from four per cent to two per cent, and Personal Accident Insurance up to RM100 million for the benefit of 40,000 new Public Sector Home Financing Board (LPPSA) borrowers.
“In order to foster healthy lifestyle practices among civil servants, the government is pleased to expand the definition of digital devices under the Computer and Smart Phone Financing Scheme to also include smart watches.
“For the Personal Accident Insurance, the government has agreed to provide a RM100 subsidy for home content insurance or takaful coverage worth RM20,000 next year as an effort to ease the burden of borrowers affected by disaster,” he added.
Zafrul also said that the Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced several remunerations for civil servants during the 18th Civil Service Premier Message Gathering (MAPPA XVIII) on Aug 30 this year.
Among the main ones include the increase of maximum days for the Cash Award in lieu of Leave (GCR) to 180 days from the current 160 days with an estimated financial implication of RM100 million per year.
This means that those who choose to make the one-time redemption of up to half of their GCR cash award ahead of their retirement can redeem up to 90 days instead of 80 days.
The government has also increased the special leave of education service officers who have served more than 10 years by 5 days to 15 days to benefit 500,000 teachers to manage personal matters and have the opportunity to collect a higher GCR. — DayakDaily
