KUALA LUMPUR: Civil servants of certain grades will be contributing a portion of their allowances starting this month, for three months, to the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund to cover Covid-19 related expenses.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali in a statement today said the move was in line with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's announcement last night, where the premier and Cabinet ministers will not be receiving their monthly salaries for three months from this month.
"Therefore, as a manifestation of the solidarity, officers in the top management groups and those from Grades 44 to 56 will be contributing a portion of their Fixed Entertainment Allowance (ITK) for the fund.
"The same goes with those from Grades 29 to 41, who will be contributing a portion of their Fixed Public Service Allowance (ITKA) to the fund," he said.
Zuki said the rate of ITK deduction for JUSA A and above is 50 per cent, JUSA B (20 per cent), and JUSA C at 10 per cent.
"For Grades 44 to 56, the rate of ITK deduction is five per cent, while Grades 29 to 41 is RM10," he said.
Zuki added contributions from over 800,000 civil servants (not including frontliners and those in Grades 1 to 28) are estimated to amount to more than RM30 million.
He said a circular with details of the implementation will be issued soon.
"This contribution is a sign of the unity of civil servants in supporting the government's efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to flatten the infection curve in our country.
"May this sacrifice be a cause of goodness in the lives of those in the Public Service and their family members.
"Let us continue to strive and increase our commitment in providing the best service to the people and the country, and ensure that we succeed in this challenging period."
Yesterday, Muhyiddin in a special address to announce the government's financial assistance under Pemerkasa Plus had said that he and Cabinet ministers will not receive their monthly salaries for three months starting this month.
The move, he said, was to show solidarity for the frontliners and Malaysians as the country continues its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.