PUTRAJAYA, Aug 15 — The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public Service (Cuepacs) expressed its appreciation to the government following several key announcements made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 20th edition of the Civil Service Premier Assembly (Mappa XX).
One of the key announcements was the relaxation of Hajj pilgrimage requirements for civil servants who have not yet been confirmed in their positions, a decision welcomed by its president Datuk Adnan Mat, as it benefits those awaiting confirmation but already having their turn for the pilgrimage.
“This move is a positive step, allowing those who have been granted their Hajj turn but are not yet confirmed in their positions to perform the pilgrimage,” he told a press conference today.
Adnan added that this decision was one of Cuepacs’ requests and lauded the government for offering civil servants the opportunity to fulfil this religious obligation sooner.
In addition, he also commended the continuation of the lifelong learning programme through the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan), which will run until 2026 with a RM15,000 allocation.
“This initiative provides civil servants with the opportunity to enhance their skills and pursue higher education, enabling them to serve the public more effectively.
“From now until 2026, civil servants will have greater opportunities to upgrade their qualifications and gain advanced certifications,” Adnan said.
Another important announcement was the government’s provision of one-off academic recognition rewards for civil servants. The rewards, ranging from RM500 to RM1,250, will be given to those who have completed their studies independently, without government funding.
“The one-off recognition is truly appreciated as it acknowledges the hard work and personal sacrifices of civil servants who have pursued education on their own, at their own expense,” he said.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s call for civil servants to embrace change or risk falling behind, Adnan stressed the importance of adapting to global developments.
“Civil servants must be proactive in embracing change to keep pace with the evolving world. If we do not change, we risk being left behind.
"The old mindset of working in comfort and complacency must be replaced with a culture of continuous transformation,” he said.
Adnan noted that such ongoing transformation would ensure the public service remains relevant and continues to provide the best possible service to the people and the nation.
