KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Service Commission (SPA) has reported a remarkable surge in applications for public service positions, with over 1.14 million submissions recorded as of September.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus said this increase reflected a growing interest in civil service roles, driven largely by recent enhancements to salary structures and benefits for government employees.
Attributing the spike to the government's proactive measures, which include adjustments to the minimum wage and improvements in the overall compensation package for civil servants, he said that this upward trend in applications had been notable since January of this year.
"The new salary and benefits package has generated heightened interest in public sector roles.
"This is evident in the volume of applications we've seen over the past months," he said when met at the SPA Open Day, an event aimed at promoting awareness about careers in the public service.
Dr Ahmad Jailani expressed optimism that this trend would continue to rise as more individuals became aware of the attractive incentives associated with public service employment.
He anticipates further increases in applications by the end of the year, indicating a sustained enthusiasm for these roles.
"This level of interest is highly beneficial to the government, as it provides us with a broader talent pool from which we can select the best and brightest candidates — individuals with high integrity and a dedication to serving the country," he said.
While the demand for public sector positions remains high, Dr Ahmad Jailani said that actual recruitment would depend on the availability of vacancies.
"The high volume of applications allows us to choose individuals who are not only capable but also embody the values essential for government service," he said.
In August, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the implementation of new civil service salary rules, known as the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will take effect on Dec 1.
Anwar revealed that civil servants in the implementing and professional groups would see a salary increase of 15 per cent, which will be rolled out in two phases: the first phase in December this year and the second phase in January 2026.
This overhaul of the remuneration system is expected to further enhance the appeal of public sector employment, potentially leading to an even larger influx of applications in the coming months.
The SPA remains committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is rigorous, aiming to select candidates who not only possess the necessary skills but also align with the values of public service.