PM ANWAR ANNOUNCES RM500, RM250 SPECIAL AIDILFITRI AID FOR CIVIL SERVANTS AND PENSIONERS

SEPANG, March 21 (Bernama) — The government has agreed to provide a special Aidilfitri financial assistance of RM500 to civil servants in Grade 56 and below, with payments to be made on March 24, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced today.

Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, added that a payment of RM250 will be extended to all government retirees, including pensionable and non-pensionable veterans as well. 

“Although I considered the matter of civil servant bonuses to have been settled in February, the government has seriously reviewed the matter, given the improved administration, better service and dedication of our civil servants.

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“So, I have decided that Insya-Allah, we will distribute RM500 to each civil servant in Grade 56 and below next week, and RM250 to retirees, including both pensionable and non-pensionable veterans,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Sultan Abdul Samad, Kuala Lumpur International Airport. 

According to Service Circular No. 1/2024 on the Implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), Grades 55 and 56 under the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) have been reclassified as Grade SSPA 15.

Anwar said the special Aidilfitri payments for 1.6 million civil servants and retirees would involve an allocation of nearly RM900 million.

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"Alhamdulillah, with stronger economic growth, improved national revenue, and a more organised and disciplined civil service, we have been able to better control leakages, although some persist," he said.

Anwar expressed hope that civil servants would understand the government’s firm stance on governance to prevent leakages and corruption within the public service.

"This is why it is important that when the government generates revenue, we return it to the people," he emphasised.

In a separate statement, the Ministry of Finance announced that the special Adilifitri assistance will also be extended to contract-appointed officers and staff, including those under contract of service, contract for service, daily part-time positions, and MySTEP appointments.

The statement further clarified that the RM250 aid for government retirees will cover pensioned retirees, derivative pension recipients, Employees Provident Fund (EPF) retirees, as well as both pensionable and non-pensionable veterans.

“The government hopes this special assistance will help ease the financial burden of civil servants and retirees while serving as an encouragement for them to continue their service with dedication,” the statement read.

In addition to civil servants, the MADANI Government will also bring forward the Phase 2 disbursement of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) for nine million recipients, starting Monday, March 24, with an allocation of RM1.7 billion.

-- BERNAMA