By Thivyamalini Ramalu
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Civil servants have welcomed the one-off promotion for 12,000 management and professional officers and the RM1,500 Special Financial Assistance under Budget 2027 as meaningful recognition of their contributions that will also help ease the cost of living.
Civil servant K. Yuvarany, 34, said the one-off promotion was a significant reward for those who have waited long for career advancement due to limited posts in the civil service.
She said the announcement also reflected the government's concern for long-serving officers who have shown excellent performance.
"The initiative not only opens up avenues for career advancement but also serves as an appreciation of the commitment and sacrifices of civil servants who consistently provide their best for the country.
"This move will help us upgrade our skills while serving as a reward for all officers who work tirelessly for the nation," said Yuvarany, an information officer at the Community Communications Department (J-KOM).
When tabling Budget 2027, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government had agreed to implement a one-off promotion through the Personal-to-Holder (Khas Untuk Penyandang) method for 12,000 eligible management and professional officers, to recognise excellent personnel who are still waiting for promotions due to limited posts.
On the RM1,500 Special Financial Assistance, S. Kamalesswari, 35, said the aid should be spent wisely and serve as motivation to improve work quality and public service delivery.
She said the assistance should act as a catalyst for greater commitment, productivity, and quality in daily duties as a mark of appreciation for the government's concern.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Ikmal Syah Jusoh, 29, hoped the aid would help ease living costs, particularly in meeting family needs and household expenses.
"The value of this assistance should not be judged solely by the amount, but by the benefits civil servants will enjoy in managing their daily expenses," he said.
The government has agreed to provide RM1,500 in Special Financial Assistance to 1.3 million civil servants in Grade Utama B and below, including contract appointees.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the assistance will be paid in two phases, namely before the Aidilfitri celebrations and in conjunction with the eve of the nation's seven decades of independence.
On a related development, parents welcomed the increase in the Early Schooling Aid (BAP) to RM200 from RM150, saying it would help cover the cost of preparing their children for the new school term.
Transport Ministry staff V. Gohmala, 41, said the higher aid was very meaningful for her as a mother of two, particularly for back-to-school preparations.
She said the funds could be used to buy necessities such as school uniforms, books, and stationery.
A total of 5.3 million pupils are eligible for the aid, involving an allocation of RM1 billion.
Anwar said the aid will be distributed at schools so parents can attend and meet the teachers, thereby strengthening cooperation in supporting the students' academic progress and character development.
-- BERNAMA