KUCHING: The state government is looking at how to ‘divorce’ the existing pension scheme and create its own scheme of salaries for the state’s civil servants.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government is looking at ways to better reward the state civil servants because there are those with unsuitable salary scales.
“We are looking for ways to have our own scheme that is not tied up with the pension ordinance. We want to use our own scheme in line with our management.
“We are still studying it, so I can’t make any promises; all I ask is for your prayers. Like I have always said, if you help others, God will help you,” he said when officiating at the LANDAS Summit 2023 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday (Feb 3).
On another matter, Abang Johari expressed optimism that more Sarawakians who have been working abroad will come home and contribute to the state’s technology-based economy.
This is in light of Sarawak recording the highest revenue performance for the financial year 2022 and as the economy progresses while embracing new technology.
He also said the state will need to increase its gross domestic product (GDP) to RM232 billion in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) towards making Sarawak a developed and high-income state by the year 2030.
“I believe with the current workforce and new generation of Sarawakians, we can achieve it. We can perhaps convince them to return so that we may realise our 2030 aspiration,” he pointed out.
Abang Johari went on to say that many Sarawakians who had previously worked abroad and possessed technological expertise have now returned home because they are aware that the state can offer them good salaries and the technology necessary to apply their skills in new fields.
“Many with experience in mass rapid transit (MRT) and light rail transit (LRT) operations are in Sarawak Metro, as are engineers in methanol plants,” he added.
