KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Service Department (PSD) has decided to postpone the abolition of Critical Service Incentive Allowance (BIPK) pending further studies.
Its director-general Datuk Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman said the move follows criticisms from several quarters.
“The BIPK was initially supposed to be discontinued from Jan 1, 2020. We have decided to postpone it, pending a detailed review with relevant parties," he said in a statement today.
In a Dec 20 circular, the PSD announced that the government would stop giving the allowance for civil servants appointed from January 2020 onwards, involving 33 professions or service schemes.
The professions include medical officers, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, engineers, air traffic controllers, architects, marine architects, legal officers, agricultural officers, vocational training officers, marine officers and research officers.
The announcement caused an uproar, especially among medical graduates who will be joining the civil service to do their housemanship and compulsory attachments.
"The proposal will be relooked and studied before any decision is drawn. The findings will also be presented to the Cabinet for approval, " Khairul said.
It was reported that the decision to abolish BIPK was first announced on Dec 20, but it drew flak from many, including Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Cuepacs.