Civil servants are looking forward to the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will announce during the tabling of Budget 2025 on Oct 18.
The salary scheme, aimed at empowering the civil service, will ensure civil servants receive their adjustments in two phases, the first from Dec 1 this year and the second on Jan 1, 2026.
A 15% adjustment has been allocated to the management, professional group, and implementers, while senior management officers will receive a 7% adjustment.
Information officer Mazizul Dani said the new salary scheme would help reduce the cost of living, in line with the government's intention of tackling the issue in this year's budget.
"I feel this year's budget will continue to consider the welfare of civil servants by taking into consideration suitable incentives such as income tax relief," he said.
Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah polytechnic officer Herlina Ainizawati Zakaria, meanwhile, said she was hoping for a special financial aid package to be announced in this year's budget even with the first phase of salary adjustments expected to kick in in December.
She said the previous year's aid and special Aidilfitri aid had helped reduce the burden of civil servants, especially those with families.
"Next year's schooling session starts in February, while Ramadan is expected in early March with Aidilfitri at the end of March.
"The short period between these key days might stress those with families, especially when they have to meet the needs of many children," she added.
Teacher Marzukhi Mokhtar shared his hopes that the issue of old an unmaintained civil servant quarters would be addressed in this year's budget.
"There are very dilapidated quarters with mouldy paint and damaged facilities, which cause some civil servants to have to fork out their own money to fix it up," he said.
With adequate allocation, he hopes the government quarters can be repaired to provide comfort for civil servants and boost their performance.
