THANKS DATO SERI NAJIB FOR THE BAG OF GOODIES IN 2012 BUDGET

The dignified looking gentleman in the picture above is the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak.  He presented the Malaysian 2012 Budget this afternoon.  Like most civil servants, I wasn't too interested in the trading and financial bits but when he came to the part for civil service, I gave my full attention.

Here is a summary of the goodies in store for 2012.

• Government proposes new Civil Service Remuneration Scheme or SBPA which includes an exit policy for underperforming civil servants and for those who opt to leave the service.
• Annual increment of civil servants increased between RM80 and RM320 according to the grade. Also civil servants who accept SBPA will receive an annual increment between 7% and 13%.
• Compulsory retirement age increased from 58 to 60 years old to optimise civil servants’ contribution.
• Additional bonus of half-month salary with a minimum payment of RM500 and an assistance of RM500 to government pensioners to be paid together with the December salary this year.
• For 2011, this totals to one month pay with a minimum payment of RM1,000 for civil servants and RM1,000 for Government pensioners. This will benefit 1.3 million civil servants as well as 618,000 Government pensioners. The total bonus and assistance payments for this year accounts for RM4 billion.
• Civil servants are offered masters degrees and PHDs opportunities to further their studies on part time basis. RM80 million is allocated for this to improve their careers

Thank you, Mr Prime Minister for the bag of goodies.  Now I must make sure that I stay healthy and keep fit in order to work until I am 60.  While there was an announcement of opportunities to read for masters degree and PHDs, there was no mention of any perks in the form of salary increment for those who already have obtained such degrees.  I remember way back in 2007, when the then Prime Minister, Dato Abdullah Badawi announced an increment of 25% to 35% for non degree holders, one of my former college mates from teacher's training college called me up to gloat about the fact that even though she did not continue her studies to get a Masters degree let alone a first degree, her pay was just a hundred or so less than mine.  It was because after teaching for about 21 years her pay was already quite a bit and with a 35% increase, it amounted to her getting a BIG increase.  On the other hand, there was no increment or pay revision for those who had obtained their Masters degree.  Sad, isn't it?  Someone who did not make an effort to improve her academic qualifications got rewarded because of a policy.  However, I am rather satisfied with the budget for 2012.  It is caring, fair and people oriented.  Hopefully, the government would in time do something for those with second or third degrees.  Anyway, thank you Dato Seri Najib for such a thoughtful and caring Budget.