BKKA FOR TERENGGANU CIVIL SERVANTS REFLECTS MADANI GOVT’S CONCERN BEYOND POLITICS

KUALA TERENGGANU, March 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) decision to cover the Special Aidilfitri Financial Assistance (BKKA) for over 14,000 Terengganu civil servants reflects the spirit of federalism between the two parties despite political differences.

State civil servant Muhammad Al Abror Amir, 30, said the assistance reflected the MADANI government’s willingness to set aside political differences with the state government to ensure state civil servants could celebrate the upcoming Aidilfitri.

“There’s no issue of who holds more or less (power) in politics. What matters is easing the financial burden of civil servants amid the rising cost of goods.

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“From the people’s point of view, political differences don’t change the fact that we have to survive. We’re the ones struggling. So I’m really grateful for today’s announcement because this BKKA will help lighten our burden,” the Darul Iman Information Secretariat (UPDI) staff member told Bernama today.

The MOF, in a statement today, said the RM500 BKKA would be distributed before Hari Raya Aidilfitri to help with festive preparations.  

Suriati Ali, 44, an information assistant at the Terengganu State Tourism Department, said the assistance proved that the federal government did not practise favouritism, especially in matters concerning the welfare of civil servants.

Having served in the state civil service for 15 years, she said the BKKA was a clear indication that civil servants in opposition-led states were not being marginalised.

“Despite many issues and the fact that we serve under the opposition administration, Alhamdulillah, the government has shown concern. Some may have assumed there would be favouritism, but that’s not the case. All civil servants receive the same benefits,” she said.

Suriati said the money would help cover Raya preparations for her five children.

Although RM500 might seem small to some, she said it meant a lot to her family, especially since her husband was self-employed.

“This once again proves that the state and federal governments can work together, particularly in looking after civil servants’ welfare. Hopefully, this will continue,” she said.

--BERNAMA