The 2017 Budget will be implemented by civil servants immediately so that members of the public can enjoy the benefits straigh away as had been announced, said chief secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa.

Ali was thankful to the government, especially for giving the incentives and making improvements to the civil service scheme as contained in the budget tabled by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today.

"Appreciation is also recorded for the payment of special assistance of RM500 to civil servants and RM250 for government pensioners, which would be paid out in January 2017," he said in a statement today.

Ali also said that despite several alleged malpractices involving a handful of civil servants, a majority of them still upheld the principles of public service to give their best performance to the people with integrity.

"The Malaysian civil service sector will continue to move forward with the government to realise the aspiration of creating a balanced economic growth and ensure prosperity for the people," he added.

- Bernama