SSPA: Public Service Performance Prioritised, Civil Servants' Welfare Comes First

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will replace the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) effective Dec 1, prioritises public service performance and places the welfare of civil servants at the forefront.

The Public Service Department (PSD) said the SSPA study, which began last July, considers various factors to focus on the sustainability of remuneration, organisational development, and talent management.

It said that the SSPA embodies the spirit of public service reform to achieve the Malaysia MADANI agenda, including increasing productivity and efficiency in public service, enhancing civil servants' readiness to implement changes, and improving the country's competitiveness.

"SSPA is an initiative introduced by the government to renew and enhance the quality of public service," it said in a statement today.

Thus, PSD noted that the focus of SSPA is on increasing public service productivity, addressing income levels that do not align with the cost of living, and strengthening the nation's fiscal sustainability.

PSD added that through the SSPA, the government would implement improvements by strengthening elements of public service, such as optimising resources and boosting productivity, managing and developing human capital, reinforcing leadership, improving governance, and empowering service delivery.

“SSPA is designed as a remuneration system based on performance, aligned with the aim of ensuring productivity improvements in public service while maintaining the well-being of officers, performance-based rewards, and conduct,” it said.

PSD said the government is also committed to ensuring the well-being of civil servants with a 15 per cent salary adjustment for civil servants in the Implementing, Management and Professional groups, and seven per cent for those in the Top Management Group.

The salary adjustment will be implemented in phases, starting from Dec 1, 2024, for Phase 1, and from Jan 1, 2026, for Phase 2.

PSD also announced that the government has agreed to improve the Minimum Starting Salary (GPT) in public service to RM1,500 per month.

"Salaries for current civil servants will be adjusted on Dec 1, while pension adjustments will also be made based on the final salary of retirees," the statement added.

Additionally, career advancement for the Management and Professional Group will be improved, including one-off promotions for officers from Grade 41 to Grade 48 under the Special Salary for Incumbent (KUP) for those who meet the specified period and criteria.

This is only applicable to service schemes where promotions are limited to available vacancies.

Furthermore, recognition of expertise will be given to qualified officers as Subject Matter Experts (SME) through acting appointments or promotions without vacancies under the KUP scheme from Grade 48 to Grade Special C.

PSD said the focus will be given to seven new priority areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, digital transformation, food technology, energy transition, national boundaries, and disaster management.

Details regarding salary adjustments and enhancements in public service elements will be released soon.

-- BERNAMA