KUCHING, Dec 27: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian called on the federal government to reconsider cancelling the Critical Service Incentive Payment (BIPK).
Dr Sim expressed concern on the announcement by the Public Service Department (JPA) and hoped that the federal government would reconsider its position with Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) and take medical staff needs seriously.
The Batu Kawah assemblyman said he had communicated his concerns to the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Haji Dzulkefly Ahmad, who agreed to bring up the issue again in the federal cabinet for discussion.
“I am worried such a rash action would destroy the well established medical services that took years to build and cause disastrous consequences for the patients.
“Many doctors and members of the MMA have voiced their surprise and unhappiness about the allowance cut,” said Dr Sim in a statement.
Dr Sim said that when he was serving in public hospitals, allowances including the critical service incentive, accounted for about 50 per cent of his monthly income.
“Salary of medical doctors in public hospitals are still far below doctors in private hospitals while earning five to ten times less than medical doctors in private hospitals,” he revealed.
Dr Sim emphasised that there was a need for good quality doctors in public services to maintain a good public healthcare system.
“The key to good health care services are the medical personnel. With the cut, we will not only lose more experienced medical personnel but also discourage good ones from joining in the future,” said Dr Sim.
JPA had recently announced a slew of allowance cuts to tighten its annuity system.
BIPK which is a special allowance to retain professional talents deemed crucial for country development, is also among the list. —DayakDaily
