Malaysia's JPA responds to CUEPACS' statement on terminating contract staff without SPM

Responding to claims that 30,000 contract staff without a Malaysian Education Certificate (SPM) have been terminated, the Public Service Department (JPA) clarified the actual figures, confirming that there is no official order to terminate any workers.

Malaysia’s Public Service Department (JPA) has responded to a recent statement by the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS), which has claimed that 30,000 contract staff without a Malaysian Education Certificate (SPM) had been terminated in 2024. 

In a statement responding to the claim, JPA shared that the actual number of contract staff without SPM is 2,037 and not 30,000 as claimed. The government also confirmed that there is no official order to terminate these workers.

Instead, contract renewals depend on job needs. So far, up till 13 February 2025, 108 applications have been submitted by agencies to allow contract renewals for workers without SPM, following the implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA). Out of these, 83 have been approved.

Why the changes?

The government has updated job entry requirements in line with the education system, which no longer includes PMR and PT3 exams. As a result, SPM is now the minimum qualification for public sector jobs. However, the government assures that existing contract workers without SPM will not automatically lose their jobs.

As of 31 December 2024, the Public Service Commission has recorded 302,284 applications for the General Service Assistant position, with 186,010 of these candidates holding an SPM qualification. Therefore, when making new appointments, JPA has affirmed that the government must balance service eligibility requirements with providing opportunities for qualified applicants.

JPA said: "In accordance with the Public Officers (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) Regulations 2012 (PUA 1/2012), each appointment must meet the conditions in the relevant service scheme.

"Any changes to the service scheme are subject to the approval of the Director General of Public Services to ensure the fairness and effectiveness of the service policy."

JPA concluded noting that the government remains open to discussions with CUEPACS and other stakeholders to find the best way forward. This issue highlights the challenge of balancing qualification requirements with job security for experienced workers.