PASIR GUDANG, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) consistently pushes for improvements to the organisational structure, career progression and allowances of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel.
The move aims to ensure the military talent management system keeps pace with the modernisation of defence assets and technology.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said detailed proposals on these three key components have been submitted to the government and the Public Service Department (JPA) for consideration.
He said staffing structure adjustments are necessary because some officers meet competency and performance requirements but cannot advance due to limited vacancies.
"We want to ensure a reasonable match between rank, grade, level of responsibility, and the strategic roles shouldered by MAF personnel," he said at a press conference after the Pasir Gudang Barisan Nasional thanksgiving ceremony at Puncak Kasih tonight.
Elaborating further, Mohamed Khaled said MINDEF has championed talent management and staffing since the launch of the Defence White Paper in 2022, while proposals for improvements to the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) were submitted to JPA in March last year.
Mohamed Khaled said special allowance should be considered for military personnel, given the unique nature of their profession, which requires them to attend long-term courses lasting between nine months and two years.
However, he said any criteria for expedited promotions in military service will still be based on meritocracy and not automatic.
"It must be based on performance, competency, integrity, and organisational needs, through established evaluation processes," he said, adding that adjustments to the organisational structure and talent management system must be adopted swiftly in line with defence asset modernisation.
MINDEF's push aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement yesterday regarding the in-principle agreement to simplify and accelerate the promotion process for MAF and Royal Malaysia Police personnel, bringing them in line with other public service schemes.
The Prime Minister said details of the new mechanism are expected to be announced during the Ambang Merdeka celebration at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on Aug 30.
The government also pledged to increase MINDEF's allocation under Budget 2027 to strengthen MAF's capabilities and safeguard the welfare of security personnel.
-- BERNAMA