Kuala lumpur: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar has confirmed that the grade promotion of Grade 1 administrative assistants will be implemented in stages, subject to several eligibility requirements. He stated that the criteria include length of service, academic qualifications, and participation in a designated civic or nationhood course.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shamsul Azri explained that within a six-month period, if a Grade 1 administrative assistant meets all the requirements, they will be upgraded in January next year. The implementation will be conducted by groups, ensuring that those who meet the criteria will be upgraded first, rather than promoting all 100,000-plus Grade 1 administrative assistants simultaneously in January.
Shamsul Azri emphasized that the initiative reflects the government's appreciation for the contributions of Administrative Assistants (Clerical/Operational) and Administrative Assistants (Finance). This announcement comes as welcome news for all administrative assistants, highlighting the government's continued recognition of their efforts.
Recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim directed the Public Service Department (PSD) to establish a promotion pathway for Grade 1 civil servants, covering administrative, clerical, and finance assistants, by January 1, 2027, at the latest. As Finance Minister, Anwar stated that the special pathway, involving 125,000 civil servants, aims to allow those in Grade 1 to advance to Grade 5 under set conditions. This move is seen as necessary to provide lower-grade civil servants with career advancement opportunities under the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA).
Earlier, Shamsul Azri attended the distribution of 6,000 portions of bubur lambuk (savoury porridge) to civil servants and the handover of 40 Toyota Hilux-type light operational vehicles to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM). The vehicles are part of a total procurement of 200 light operational vehicles by JBPM under a contract worth RM30.4 million, expected to be completed by August. Also present were Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr M Noor Azman Taib and JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad.