PUTRAJAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is awaiting approval from the Finance Ministry over the allocation of a special monthly allowance of RM200 to firemen.
Its minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin, said she had tabled a working paper on the critical allowance for firemen to the Cabinet and the only thing left was to wait for approval.
“There is a big possibility the critical allowance will be approved because it does not involve additional financial implications for the ministry,” she told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Fire and Rescue Department director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid.
Former urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister Tan Sri Noh Omar had made the commendation in March this year when Barisan Nasional was still in power.
Earlier this month, Zuraida was reported to have said her ministry would allocate RM35 million annually for the critical allowance.
She said the allowance was in recognition of the work firemen did in facing disasters as they put themselves at risk while on duty, adding that policemen and soldiers were also given such allowances.
On another matter, Zuraida said the National Community Policy report would be tabled at the Cabinet meeting for approval soon.
Currently the ministry is gathering data and information before it is presented in August, she added.
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