PETALING JAYA: Civil servants and unions have hailed the government’s special financial aid of RM500 for the public services, saying it will come in handy especially with the fasting month approaching.
The aid will help boost the morale of civil servants, says national registration department officer Amirul Sazli Kamaruzaman. “Such an incentive shows that the government cares for civil servants,” he told FMT.
Amirul, 32, said the money, to be disbursed this month, will be used to buy school supplies for his children, apart from preparing for Ramadan and the Raya festivities.
Amirul’s colleague, Zamzarina Baharuddin, was also grateful for the cash aid which comes months after Putrajaya announced salary increments of between 7% and 15% under the new public services remuneration system .
“The aid may not be a huge sum, but it will be able to help cushion the increase in the price of goods, including food items, clothing and school fees,” said Zamzarina, who has been with the department for 10 years.
Malini, a teacher, said her family will receive RM1,000 as her husband is also a civil servant. The money could feed her family of four for two months, and help alleviate the rising cost of living, she said.
“In this kind of situation, no matter the sum, it is a big help for my family which is in the M40 category,” Malini, who teaches at a school in the Klang Valley, said.
Malaysian Trades Union Congress secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said the RM500 will go a long way in helping households in the lower income category.
“The timing of the payout is also great as most families have school-going children who will be starting the new school year soon. It will also help at a time when Ramadan is approaching.
“This is a thoughtful gesture by the Madani government which must be given out annually,” he said.
Kamarul urged the government to urge the private sector to introduce similar handouts, especially to the B40 category, by offering incentives such as tax exemptions.
On Wednesday, Buletin Utama reported that the cash aid would be disbursed to civil servants in Grade 15 and below, including contract appointees, on Feb 25. Retirees, pensioned veterans, and non-pensioned veterans on the other hand will receive RM250.
They say the money will come in handy to prepare for the new school year as well as the fasting month.
