The Public Service Department (JPA) will continue sponsoring students to pursue studies in medicine as long as there is a need for medical professionals in the country’s healthcare service, according to Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak, and Special Functions). He stated that the sponsorship will also depend on the studies and projections made by the Health Ministry (MOH).
In his speech during the debate on the Supply Bill 2024 for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 30), Armizan mentioned that the decision to continue sponsoring students in the healthcare field, which includes dentistry and pharmacy, will be based on the projections submitted by the Health Ministry.
Armizan further revealed that as of October 25, a total of 13,659 civil servants have participated in engagement sessions related to the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) study. These sessions involved service groups, ministries, agencies, and State Secretariat Offices in various states.
The engagement sessions were carried out to gather input from civil servants, and a total of 40,422 respondents have submitted 97,706 proposals through the SSPA study portal. Armizan emphasized that there will be no bias towards or neglect of specific states in this study, as all proposals will be compiled.
Regarding the cash award in lieu of leave (GCR) that civil servants have yet to receive, Armizan explained that applications should be submitted to their respective ministries for internal control and preliminary screening before being forwarded to JPA for approval. The approval is subject to the ceiling limit allocation set for ministries by the Ministry of Finance, with the option to appeal through JPA.
In addition, Armizan announced that the government has agreed to supplement the original pension amount (Categories A and B) with a special Appreciation Award to Retirees (PKKP) from July to December 2023. This decision was made following the Federal Court’s ruling to annul the amendment to Sections 3 and 7 of the Pension Adjustment (Amendment) Act 2013, which had violated Article 147 of the Federal Constitution.
This decision aims to ensure that the total pension received by retirees who retired before 2013 is equal to the amount received in June 2023.
– Bernama
