Lim Guan Eng
PUTRAJAYA: The RM500 special payment for civil servants on Grade 54 and below proposed in Budget 2019 would be paid before Dec 25, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday.
“This is the first time that the bonus will be paid in the same year. Previously, the special payment was given in the following year. There is no provision in Budget 2018. So, we will look for the source (of the funds).
“We hope that through the implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), there will be a little (revenue) to accommodate the bonus this year,” he said to reporters here.
Earlier, Lim attended a get-together of “Customs Staff with the Finance Minister’ in conjunction with Deepavali 2018 at the Finance Ministry complex here.
When tabling Budget 2019 in Parliament on Nov 2, Lim announced the RM500 special payment in recognition of the efforts and dedication of civil servants in discharging their duties.
He had also announced a RM250 special payment for government pensioners. The special payments for the civil servants and pensioners will incur an expenditure of RM1 billion.
Asked to comment on the rumour of an impending Cabinet reshuffle, Lim said: “I have not heard anything at all.” — Bernama