Only new appointments affected by civil service allowance cut, says PSD 

 

PETALING JAYA: Only new appointments will be affected by the government's decision to eliminate the Critical Service Incentive Allowance starting next year (2020), says the Public Service Department (PSD).

The department said that only civil servants appointed on Jan 1,2020 onwards would be affected by the move.

It added that those already receiving the allowance would continue to get it, according to a 2007 circular (Surat Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bilangan 17 Tahun 2007).

Those who are serving on a contractual basis will continue receiving their allowance as long as their contacts are renewed without any gaps in between, the PSD said in a statement Wednesday (Dec 25).

It also said that on principle, the allowance was not meant to be a permanent fixture and can be revoked if any service sector is deemed no longer critical.

“On principle, the critical aspect of a service will change according to time and needs, ” it added.

It was reported on Tuesday (Dec 24) that 33 critical service schemes would be affected by the elimination of the allowance starting next year.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction over the move.

“I do not agree with critical allowance cut for our young doctors and nurses, we should not wrong our young doctors and nurses and those in critical services as they are already overworked and underpaid, ” he said in a clip posted on social media.

Syed Saddiq added that the government should instead review the allowances given to ministers and politicians.

He also vowed to cut back on his annual leave and promised to return the money he received from the government as holiday allowances.

“I have already reduced 10% of my salary and will ensure that (the salary) of others will be reduced as well, ” he added.

While his post found support among Malaysians, many also questioned why, as a member of the Pakan Harapan administration, he had not first brought up the matter with the Cabinet.

Joining Syed Saddiq in expressing their disagreement over the elimination of the allowance is the Malaysian Medical Association.

Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said that the elimination of the allowance for new civil service recruits will negatively impact the morale of junior healthcare professionals, therefore affecting the public healthcare system.

"The decision will affect the newly employed junior staff who are already faced with bleak career prospects and little chance for permanent positions.

"This decrease of nearly 15% of a newly graduated doctor, nurse, pharmacist and dentist's pay is a significant one.

"This will of course affect the morale of the junior healthcare professional, leading to reductions in productivity and overall job satisfaction.

"Many of them are already suffering burnout, emotional distress and low social support and this decision will further enhance it," said Dr Ganabaskaran in a statement Wednesday (Dec 25).

He said a health workforce that is motivated is "critical" for reaching universal health coverage of which the country is a signatory.

He added that while MMA supported the Government's vision for a leaner civil service, it should not come at the expense of the critical areas for the development of the country, such as health and education.

"When they reach the breaking point, many leave, not just for private practice but to other countries to serve.

"The training, experience and expertise they have obtained then leaves with them, leaving our beloved country and its healthcare services at a loss," he added.

 

Sourced from THE STAR Newspaper (25th December 2019)