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Civil servants in Penang and Melacca to expect RM1,000 Hari Raya bonus

In conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, both the Penang and Melaccan governments announced that civil servants in both states will receive a RM1,000 reward.

On one hand, 3,600 civil servants in Penang will receive the Special Financial Aid bonus on Wednesday (13 June) where chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said in Bernamathat the money is to help ease the burden of civil servants in making preparations to celebrate the festivity next week.

After attending an Assembly With Members of the Civil Service on Tuesday  (5 June), he said that "the bonus payment will involve a total of RM3.6 million which is hoped to be able to assist in preparing for the festive season this time."

On the other  hand, 5,000 civil servants in Melacca will receive the bonus in the near future but most definitely before 15 June - the day of Hari Raya Aidilfiti as reported in Astro Awani.

Its chief minister Adly Zahari said "Insya-Allah, RM1,000 before Aidilfitri," in a breaking fast (moreh) programme with the people at the Keris Square, Alor Gajah on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: One month’s special pay for Selangor’s state civil staff on Aidilfitri

However, due to the nation's financial predicament, Tun Mahathir has decided to make more cuts in the government’s spending by reducing the entertainment allowances of civil servants. The Malay Mail reported that it will be a 10% cut for senior government servants on grade Jusa A and above, effective July this year.

In the same article, prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that "this is part of the government’s austerity drive,” when announcing it at the media conference after chairing the cabinet meeting yesterday (6 June).

On top of that, he also announced that top civil servants who are on the international stage must be able to speak English. As more emphasis is placed on the language, English-proficiency tests would be introduced for senior civil servants.

Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) president Azih Muda told Free Malaysia Today“We are close to being a developed nation. Those who are not fluent should go for intensive English courses.”

He added: "At the same time, we hope the government will give those who need to brush up on their English time to do so.”

Lead Photo / iStock

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