Najib ups police, army salaries ahead of GE13

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today announced that the salary scale of police and armed forces personnel has been raised to be on par with that of the civil service.

He said the adjustments, backdated to Jan 1, are part of the Transformative Remuneration System (SST) involving an expenditure of RM1.5 billion.

According to Bernama, the wage hike applies across the board, covering the various job functions, rank structures and qualifications in the military and police services.

"Indeed, this standardisation is being made to ensure harmony (of salary grades) among the three services," the news agency quoted Najib saying today.

For example, the premier explained that a corporal on Grade 17 in the military or police force will have the post harmonised with Grade 22 in the civil service, while a sergeant on Grade 27 will have the post harmonised with Grade 29 in the civil service.

Similarly, a captain in the military and an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) on Grade 41 would have the post harmonised to Grade 44 in the civil service.

The announcement, made at the 13th Public Service Premier Gathering (MAPPA), comes on the heels of the 13th general election that has to be called soon, as well as the Sabah armed incursion in Lahad Datu that has to date cost the lives of eight police personnel.

Chief-secretary: Nothing to do with election

Referring to the slain servicemen, Najib stated that their sacrifice was not in vain as they  died “in the process of fulfilling their trust and responsibility”.

“They are carrying on the noble tradition, from generation to generation, of those who don the uniform of the military and police force.

“It is their commitment that enables us to go about our daily chores without fear, enables our children to attend school safely, enables us to go out and work and return home daily to our beloved families,” he said.

However, chief secretary Ali Hamsa (left) denied that the move to raise the salary grades was an election goody, as it was done annually.

“No (its not an election gift). Don’t be mistaken. There are some who only likes to take a negative view of these things,” he said at a press conference after the event at Putrajaya.

“MAPPA is an annual affair for the civil service. At MAPPA it is expected for the government to announce returns or improvements each year,” he said.