Penang: The Public Service Commission of Malaysia (SPA) expects continued strong interest among Malaysians, including youths, to join the civil service this year, with applications projected to reach up to 1.3 million. Its chairman, Datuk Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus, said the estimate was based on application trends and the encouraging response to the Kembara Kerjaya SPA outreach programme.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in previous years, SPA received up to 1.2 million applications, and this year, the number may reach 1.3 million. This indicates that interest in civil service careers remains high, despite the discontinuation of the pension scheme. Therefore, SPA is intensifying outreach efforts to ensure that job-seeking youths are well-informed of current opportunities in the public sector.

Ahmad Jailani spoke at the Kembara Kerjaya SPA @ Penang 2025 programme, which aims to raise awareness and provide exposure to SPA services, helping individuals chart a career path in the public service. The Kembara Kerjaya programme has been held in Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu, and Penang during the first half of this year, attracting more than 10,000 visitors.

Besides physical events, the programme is also conducted virtually and has drawn significant traffic to the SPA website. The next edition will be in Kelantan next month, followed by Putrajaya, Melaka, Perak, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur, providing the public with a platform for direct and interactive engagement with SPA personnel.

Visitors will receive guidance on application procedures, status updates, and recruitment consultations through SPA briefing sessions during the programme. The initiative involves personnel from all major SPA divisions and the SPA Outreach Squad, who conduct briefings, consultations, and other activities to highlight the commission’s roles, services, and information to target groups.