KUCHING: State public servants often face challenges due to conflicts with federal government regulations, particularly those dependent on the Public Services Department (JPA).
Economist Dr Dzul Hadzwan Husaini praised the Sarawak government’s decision to recruit all new hires for the state civil service under the Contribution-Based-Position (JBC) scheme from this year, calling it a welcome move.
Under the JBC scheme, new hires will contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) retirement scheme and will not receive a monthly pension from the government after retiring. They will have the flexibility to leave and return to the civil service for better career progression.
“Of course, this is good news, especially for those who want to leave the civil service before retiring. However, apart from JBC, I believe that introducing special allowances for state civil servants beyond what is offered by JPA could be a viable solution, especially in monetary terms,” said Dzul.
He pointed out that attractive compensation packages can attract more skilled professionals to join the state government workforce.
“By introducing special allowances, the state government can enhance the attractiveness of working for the state and effectively address talent retention and recruitment challenges.”
Speaking to the New Sarawak Tribune on Thursday (March 21), the senior lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), stressed the importance of valuing and rewarding the contributions of civil servants.
Differentiating state employment benefits from those offered by federal agencies can enhance the competitiveness of state government positions in the job market.
“Ultimately, by prioritising the introduction of special allowances for state civil servants, the state government can bolster its workforce, attract top talent, and foster a more dynamic and motivated public service sector.”
Dzul also stressed the need to prioritise medical benefits for civil servants, particularly considering the escalating costs of healthcare.
He suggested expanding access to private hospitals and clinics for civil servants to alleviate financial strain and ensure timely and quality medical care.
Given the state’s ownership stake in many private healthcare facilities, leveraging these resources can provide much-needed relief to its civil servants, he explained.
Improving medical benefits and facilitating access to private healthcare would not only alleviate congestion in public hospitals but also enhance the welfare and well-being of civil servants, fostering a more supportive work environment, Dzul added.
