Fahmi: Public service’s new scheme not finalised yet, review ongoing

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the public service remuneration scheme has yet to be finalised, as a detailed study is being carried out by the government.

Fahmi, who is also the unity government spokesperson, said that thus far, there has been no specific announcement regarding the new remuneration scheme other than a circular issued by the Public Service Department (PSD) on Jan 15.

The circular stated that the government has decided that a new method for the permanent appointment of civil servants should be introduced, to strengthen the public service remuneration system.

“Hence, my stance is that we allow the responsible party to provide an explanation, and insyaAllah, the prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) earlier today said that a detailed explanation will be provided.

“It will include the context (regarding the new scheme) in relation to the national debt and any financial implications, in terms of annual operating expenses at the federal level.

“If we want to comment, for me, it is appropriate that we should be fair and get a full explanation (from the relevant parties),” he told reporters, after presenting the donation of Tabung Kasih@Hawana in Kampung Pulai, Serkam today.

Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama editor-in-chief Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Broadcasting director-general Suhaimi Sulaiman and Hawana project director Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also Bernama news services deputy editor-in-chief.

Fahmi also presented a donation to former Malacca Radio RTM programme producer Norazlin Mohamad, 52, who has been suffering from diabetes and kidney problems which caused her right leg to be amputated.

‘Studies underway’

Commenting further, Fahmi said the studies being carried out on the new scheme also included people’s representatives, and insisted that it was not retrospective, to have an impact on previous appointments.

He added that on the issue of non-pensionable appointment for civil servants, the government will study, for example, if a public servant is newly recruited, and newly appointed - the same goes MP.

“However, it is important that the pensions, whether for civil servants or members of the administration or MPs, all have their source of authority from the laws, as we all know (laws) are not retrospective, meaning they do not apply to those who are already in service,” Fahmi added.

He said the new scheme also needs to be approved in Parliament before it can be enforced by the government, and urged the people not to sensationalise the matter as it could cause defamation.

“Do give us some space to get full information. The issue is that we sometimes sensationalise the news without full information and it becomes defamation... this is a bit worrying,” Fahmi said.

- Bernama

PM: Decision on civil servants' salary scheme will also apply to politicians

Akmal: Any move to phase out pensions should start with elected reps

Muhyiddin opposes govt move to recruit civil servants via contracts

DPM: Govt to recruit new civil servants on non-pensionable term soon