By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, May 23: Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) Sarawak has urged the federal government to reconsider the Regional Incentive Payment (BIW) for federal civil servants in the State following an increment in the Cost of Living Allowance (Cola) for civil servants in Peninsular Malaysia.
According to Cuepacs Sarawak (CNS) chairman Ahmad Malie, although the amount is not much, it would have a big impact on the civil servants when they retire, especially for those who serve in the State.
“As such, CNS urged the federal government to review the BIW rates because this rate has not been reviewed in the last 15 years, while Cola allowance was revised and received an increase of RM50,” he said during a press conference held at Cuepacs Sarawak office in Bampfylde Road, here today.
Ahmad noted that based on the current rates, the BIW payment is based on the grade and basic salary of a civil servant.
“CNS hopes that the federal government will consider and realise the proposal for the welfare of the federal civil servants who are working in the State,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ahmad also calls on the government to address and improve the existing internet facilities in the country following a stricter Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0 that will be announced on May 25, 2021.
“Since the matter has been announced by the Prime Minister, we as civil servants will comply with it. But, we need the government to upgrade the existing internet facilities, especially for those in the rural areas where the internet coverage is low,” he said.
He explained that with better internet coverage, those who are instructed to work from home will provide better services to their clients.
“We do not want the public who require the services complaining about civil servants not doing their job properly. It is not that they are not doing their job, but they are working based on their capacity and ability,” he said.  — DayakDaily
