KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — The implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will take effect next month, is expected to attract more people with disabilities (PwD) to join the public service, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this is as the SSPA offers a more competitive salary and allowance structure, as well as better opportunities for promotion and career development.
“All the benefits for the recruitment of PwD officers under the Malaysian Remuneration System will be retained in the SSPA,” she said in reply to V. Sivakumar (PH-Batu Gajah) during Ministers’ Question Time on how the implementation of the SSPA can strengthen the target of having 1 per cent of civil servants from the PwD category.
To a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) on whether the government will increase the target percentage if it is achieved in the future, Dr Zaliha said the government is open to the matter.
“However, we may need to review the existing data from all agencies to determine what percentage of PwD are currently in the public service. I am confident that once we reach the target, there will be no barrier to continuing or increasing the percentage to two or three per cent,” she said.
Dr Zaliha said that as of September 30, the Public Service Commission has received 4,805 applications from PwD candidates, out of the total 1.13 million applicants, to fill vacancies in the public service.
She said of the total 13,491 new appointees, 44 were PwD, 39 of whom have physical disabilities, three have hearing disabilities, one with an intellectual disability and one with a visual impairment.
— Bernama
