Salary increment for civil servants not automatic but based on performance

KUCHING: The salary increment for civil servants through the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will take effect on Dec 1, 2024, is not automatic and will be based on performance.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that civil servants, particularly those in the implementation group who perform excellently, will certainly receive an increase of 15 to 42.7 per cent.

However, he stressed that those with issues and who do not perform their duties well will not.

“It is important to state here that salary increments are not and do not necessarily have to be automatic. They must be based on performance, with no flaws, especially in terms of attendance, punctuality, and diligence in carrying out duties and responsibilities.

“So, I believe all recipients of the Excellent Service Award (APC) will not face any issues in obtaining a salary increment.

“In fact, they will serve as benchmarks and examples to their peers, encouraging them to strive to provide even better service to the government in the coming years,” he said.

He said this during the Ministry of Communications (Sarawak Zone) Excellent Service Awards 2023 at the P. Ramlee Auditorium, RTM Kuching on Thursday (Aug 8).

The event celebrated 80 award recipients consisting of 43 individuals from the Malaysia Department of Broadcasting, 34 from the Malaysian Information Department (JaPen), and 3 from National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).

Further commenting, Fahmi said that the guidelines regarding the salary increment for civil servants will be known next week, while detailed information will be included in the 2025 Budget.

“Generally, the salary increment is expected to be between 15 and 42.7 per cent. However, the increment for those in higher positions such as the Chief Secretary, Director-General, and others will not be as high as that for the implementation group.

“The government’s focus is to ensure that the implementation group can achieve the maximum increment, as it should be remembered that this matter involves national financial implications,” he added.

Additionally, he assured that statutory bodies or semi-government agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA), and many others will also have new salary increment rates in the future.

“God willing, there will be a salary increment for you, but we need to discuss this first,” he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Fahmi stated that civil servants in the implementation group are expected to enjoy a salary increment through SSPA of up to 42.7 per cent, with details to be seen in the 2025 Budget document.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in May announced that the salary rate for civil servants will be increased starting this December, stressing that those who have issues and are slow in carrying out their duties are likely not to receive an automatic increment.

He stressed that it is not fair for those who do not perform well to receive the same increment as efficient civil servants.

The expected salary increment for civil servants is projected to cost over RM10 billion starting next year.