Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today announced a minimum RM600 ‘duit raya’ for the state’s civil servants.

There are about 7,800 civil servants from statutory bodies, local councils and government departments in Penang who will receive the bonuses.

azlan Lim said Kafa (Al-Quran and Fardhu Ain) teachers will be paid a minimum of RM300 for the coming celebrations.

He added that the amount was equivalent to a half month’s pay bonus for those who are earning about RM1,000 per month. (Those whose salaries are more, will get higher bonuses.)

The state would be spending about RM3 million for the bonuses, said Lim, who is also DAP national secretary-general.

This follows the federal government’s announcement two days ago that civil servants would be getting a RM500 ‘duit raya’.

“We give an extra RM100,” said Lim at a press conference today.

“This is a token of appreciation from the state government to the members of the civil service and Kafa teachers,” he added.

Lim said his administration acknowledged the work and commitment of civi servants towards building a better Penang.

“We hope this bonus would help Penangites prepare for the coming Hari Raya celebrations,” he said.

“With the current economic situation, the state government is happy to help lessen their burden,” he added.

The bonuses will be paid on Aug 19, four days after the federal government banks in its duit raya for the country’s civil servants.

Selangor, Kelantan give bonus, too

Selangor also jumped on the bonus bandwagon, with Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim announcing that the state will adopt the same bonus structure as announced by its federal counterpart.

He said the decision was made during today’s exco meeting, denying there was any political dimension in raising the bonus payout.

“We feel that since the federal government is paying this amount, we do not want to discriminate against anyone because the state can afford to pay,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PAS-led Kelantan government has announced it would also pay half-month bonus to about 6,000 civil servants in the state, and a special payment of RM500 to pensioners.

State Economic Planning, Finance and Welfare Committee chairman Husam Musa said the state government would bear the cost of RM5 million in making such payment.

“Hopefully, it lightens the burden on civil servants in their preparation to celebrate the coming Hari Raya," he told reporters after the state exco meeting in Kota Baru today.

 

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