The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are discussing with the Public Service Department (PSD) to fine-tune the implementation of equal grades of posts in PDRM and the public services, as announced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on March 11.

Bukit Aman police management department director Mortadza Nazarene said this was to ensure the 109,209 police personnel holding the rank of assistant commissioner of police and below, including its civilian staff, would enjoy equal grades and salary promptly.

"The announcement has been made and it was effective on Jan 1, so we are discussing with PSD to see what needs to be done and endeavour to speed up the salary increase so its impact can be felt immediately," he told reporters after handing over an approval certificate for the setting up of an auxiliary police team for Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), in Malacca, today.

Also present were Malacca police chief Chuah Ghee Lye and UteM vice-chancellor Prof Ahmad Yusoff Hassan.

He said the announcement on equality in salary proved the concern of the government in boosting the standard of living of police personnel.    

In another development, Mortadza said, 138 auxiliary policemen agencies had been operational with a membership strength of 18,628 nationwide since it was set up in 1948.

He said UTeM was the second public institution of higher learning which received an approval to set up an auxiliary police team after Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Yusoff said, the setting up of the auxiliary police team at the university was to boost the level of security and well-being of its people.

At the same ceremony, UTeM, represented by Ahmad Yusoff, also handed over a RM13,000 contribution to the Media Prima Berhad Lahad Datu Warriors' Fund which was collected from UTeM's staff and students.

- Bernama