KUALA LUMPUR: A paperwork on the RM200 monthly critical allowance for the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia personnel would be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah next week.
Home and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said Sultan Abdullah has requested for the paper work to be presented before him.
“The critical allowance for firemen has yet to be finalised as we are still waiting for the government’s consideration.
“And today, his Majesty has mentioned the matter to me and I said that it was not yet approved.
“So, His Majesty asked for a paper work on the matter to be presented before him, saying the firemen are ay the front line.
“Hopefully, with His Majesty’s support, the government will approve the critical allowance,” she told reporters after attending the World International Firefighters Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka today.
Sultan Abdullah, along with Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and daughter Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah ‘Athiyatullah graced the event that was attended by 5,000 people from all walks of life.
On when the paperwork would be presented to the King, Zuraida said; “Immediately. Next week I will present the paperwork. I cannot wait anymore just like ‘pucuk dicita, ulam mendatang’,” she said.
On July 8, Zuraida announced that JBPM personnel would not receive their RM200 monthly critical allowance, due to the country’s financial position.
However, she said that the matter was still under the review of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was currently at the at the discussion stage with the Treasury Department.
JBPM director-general Datuk Mohammad Hamdan Wahid believes the government would consider speeding up the matter, in line with the risks and challenges facing by firemen.