PM announces new civil service initiatives, boosts to armed forces service scheme

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today announced several new initiatives to strengthen the civil service.

These include improvements to the armed forces service scheme, financial incentives under the Academic Recognition Awards (HPA), and allocations to strengthen the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan).

He said the measures are in line with the government’s commitment to improving the efficiency, professionalism, and welfare of civil servants at all levels, thereby ensuring that the national development agenda can be implemented more effectively.

“The government has agreed to expand the entry qualifications for enlisted members of the armed forces at Grade Z1 (special duties) to include the Medical Corps, Religious Corps, and Engineering Corps.

“The Performance-Based Incentives (BIP) will also be extended to other ranks, namely Sergeant Equivalent (Grade Z4) and Staff Sergeant Equivalent (Grade Z5).

“In addition, the qualifying period for BIP has been reduced from six years to four years, benefiting 3,789 personnel with an estimated financial implication of RM6.47 million annually,” he said in his address at the 20th edition of a civil service programme organised by the Public Service Department (PSD) in collaboration with Intan today.

Deputy Prime Ministers Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof, as well as cabinet ministers, were in attendance.

Also present at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) were the Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Public Service director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

Today’s ceremony also marked the launch of the Public Service Talent Development Policy, which will take effect on Sept 1.

Improvements to service scheme

On the HPA, Anwar said the government has allocated RM75.7 million to provide a one-off financial incentive to civil servants who complete higher education at their own expense during their service.

The incentive amounts are set at RM1,250 for a doctorate, RM1,000 for a master’s degree, RM750 for a bachelor’s degree, and RM500 for a diploma or equivalent qualification.

In addition, the prime minister said RM3 million has been allocated to strengthen Intan’s role as a reference centre for public service excellence in the Asian and global arenas, including research in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, organisational management, and the publication of the Intan Country Report.

In addition, the prime minister said the government has allocated RM3 million to strengthen Intan as a reference centre for public service excellence in the Asian and global regions, including research in new fields such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, organisational management and the publication of the Intan Country Report.

He also announced the continuation of the APEL.Q @ INTAN Programme in 2026, with an allocation of RM1.5 million, as well as the removal of the in-service confirmation requirement for civil servants to qualify for haj leave.

The civil service gathering serves as an important platform to foster the spirit, commitment, and professionalism of civil servants in supporting the national development agenda.

- Bernama

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