THE critical service incentive payment (BIPK) for 33 schemes, which was abolished and then put on hold, falls within the purview of the Public Service Department (JPA), said Lim Guan Eng.

The finance minister said, this being the case, he could not answer questions on BIPK and the matter is best handled by the JPA.

“That (BIPK) is under the JPA, not the Finance Ministry. It’s not under me,” he told reporters after attending a programme in Butterworth, Penang.

The termination of critical service incentives for 33 schemes effective next year for fresh recruits was put on hold following negative feedback.

The cabinet is expected to discuss it at its first meeting next week.

Announcing it last month, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the decision was made by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“The prime minister has agreed to postpone the circular on the termination of the allowance and this matter will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting,” he said in a video posted on his social media on December 27 last year.

The JPA’s decision to cut the RM750 allowance for new hires in 33 categories of employees, including doctors, nurses, engineers, triggered a furious reaction from the stakeholders.

Those already drawing the allowance were assured that they can keep it until they end their service.

The allowance was introduced in 1992 for positions that were difficult to fill. A review this year showed that these positions no longer meet the criteria. – January 4, 2020.