KEMAS INSTRUCTED TO SUBMIT STAFFING IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS TO PSD

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has directed the Community Development Department (KEMAS) to submit proposals for improving the department's staffing scheme to the Public Service Department (PSD).

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said KEMAS director-general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man has been entrusted with realising the proposed improvements.

He said this when launching the KEMAS MADANI Community Empowerment Programme here today.

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Earlier, in his speech, Mohd Hanafiah revealed that there are currently 9,719 contract staff in KEMAS, comprising 1,072 personnel in Grade S1, 191 in Grade S2, and 8,458 in Grade S5.

He explained that 4,587 staff members have transitioned to permanent positions after serving on a contract basis for at least 15 years.

"Fundamentally, the improvement being reviewed involves enabling career progression within service grades, such as allowing Grade S1 personnel to progress up to Grade S4 and Grade S5 personnel to advance to Grade S8. At present, most staff serving for more than 30 years retire in the same grade," he said.

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In addition to grade progression, Mohd Hanafiah also touched on the Temporary Contract to Permanent Post (JSKT) mechanism, which currently requires a minimum of 15 years of contract service before qualifying for permanent appointment.

"This results in those absorbed into permanent posts having only about 20 years in a pensionable service scheme. Consequently, many receive pensions below RM1,000 due to their limited tenure in permanent positions.

"The proposal aims to reduce the JSKT period to 10 years from the current 15 years. Therefore, we are counting on Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid's support to realise efforts to improve the service scheme for the benefit of KEMAS personnel," he added.

-- BERNAMA