PUTRAJAYA: Civil service promotions will be more streamlined and hinge on stringent merit-based criteria under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which aims to redefine career advancements within the public sector.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said any officer considered for promotion must be skilled, knowledgeable, experienced, and prepared for added responsibilities.
In an interview with the Media Prima group recently, he said the government envisions a public service sector that is well-equipped to meet Malaysia's evolving socio-economic demands.
Promotions, he said, are also dependent on a civil servant's grade.
Shamsul Azri said while seniority is often a factor in determining career advancement within the public service sector, the phased implementation of the SSPA seeks to cultivate a high-performance, accountable culture catering to the career development needs of public servants.
"For us in the government, the most important thing is teamwork. I've always said that I don't believe in (the concept of) a single hero.
"We also want to avoid any disharmony within the service. Sometimes, suddenly having a new superior can create tension within the team so promotions are reviewed thoroughly," he said.
Shamsul Azri said productivity within the public service must also match with the new standards.
"We've identified several strategies, including leveraging 'low-hanging fruit' to enhance productivity and strengthen our service delivery over the next five years."
Meanwhile, addressing perceptions of leniency in handling disciplinary issues and the low dismissal rate within the civil service, Shamsul Azri said the new SSPA framework will tackle such concerns decisively.
"If an individual wishes to continue serving in the government, they must demonstrate commitment, integrity, and dedication," he said.
"We have implemented clear performance metrics to ensure accountability across the board," he added.
On Aug 16, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the introduction of new civil service salary rules, known as the SSPA, that will take effect from Dec 1.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the SSPA showed the government cared for civil servants and recognised their sacrifices.
Anwar said the SSPA was done to ensure fairness for civil servants and was not aimed at drawing support from the public sector.
The SSPA introduces comprehensive reforms covering salary adjustments, job rotations, position rationalisation, reduction of redundant functions, review of outdated regulations and benefits, as well as optimising resources and costs to enhance service efficiency.
On May 1, the prime minister also announced a more than 13 per cent increase in civil servants' remuneration, among the highest in Malaysia's history.
The implementation of the salary adjustment will be carried out in phases and will only apply to officers who opt for the SSPA scheme.
For officers under the implementation group, the salary adjustment will start at eight per cent in Phase 1 (Dec 1) and seven per cent in Phase 2 (January 2026).
Meanwhile, for the top management group, the salary adjustment will be four per cent in Phase 1 and three per cent in Phase 2.
Public Service director-general (KPPA) Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz assured that there is no double standard in the treatment of civil servants who opt not to sign the SSPA.
Civil servants who abstain from signing will remain under the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) but will not benefit from the salary adjustments under the new scheme.