Govt pushing for review of salary packages of firemen

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin expresses hope that the government would be more sympathetic to the nature of the fireman’s job.

PUTRAJAYA: Putrajaya is pushing for a relook at the salary packages of firemen, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said.

Zuraida said they were also considering the possibility of creating a commission for the appointment of firemen (Suruhanjaya Penjawatan Bomba). At present, firemen are parked under the Public Services Department (JPA).

“With the establishment of such a commission, the fire and rescue department will be empowered to carry out their own job transfers, job swaps and make their own calls for recruitment.

“At the moment, they come under the JPA, so if you want to revamp the fire service, you have to revamp the entire civil service.

“I hope we can do that (relook salary packages and creating a commission) and give them a bit more,” she said in an interview in conjunction with Pakatan Harapan’s first year in power.

Given that the job scope of firemen was “anything under the sun”, Zuraida expressed hope that the government would be more sympathetic to the nature of the fireman’s job.

Zuraida, who is also PKR vice-president, lamented she had been unable to secure a critical allowance of RM200 for firemen. She had previously stated that the allowance was in recognition of the work firemen did in facing disasters as they put themselves at risk while on duty, adding that policemen and soldiers were also given such allowances.

The Ampang MP also stated that she was unable to complete the review to restructure the Commissioner of Buildings (CoB), as well as the Strata Management Act, which are in progress.

Zuraida said the CoB was a very important aspect of housing, especially when 73% of Malaysians stayed in strata housing.

“Therefore, we have to relook and revamp to create a bigger agency, to undertake the responsibility of property management as well as into the joint management bodies and management corporations.

“At the moment, there are a lot of amendments with regard to the law. So, we need more time, because I have to look into the law, go to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. This matter is also linked to other ministries, so I need a little more time,” she said, adding that she was awaiting feedback from other ministries.

On when this would be done, Zuraida said workshops and forums were already in motion. She hoped the review could be completed by mid-2020.

On suggestions put forward concerning the restructuring of the CoB, Zuraida said at the moment, the CoB came under the finance ministry.

“But they are under the responsibility of my ministry. There is no full structure or staff at the moment. What I hope to do, is to have a national CoB board, which should be placed under my ministry.

“This is more properly structured and more systematic in terms of reporting. The reporting line is clear and decisions can be made quickly,” she added. - FMT