PM: Civil servants to get half-month bonus

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to pay bonus of half-month salary with minimum payment of RM500 for civil servants.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the goverment had also agreed to give special payment of RM500 to government pensioners.

"The bonus and special payment will be made in the middle of this month," Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said in a statement Monday.

Najib said the bonus was to appreciate the dedication and contributions of civil servants in successfully implementing the nation's development programmes.

"The government hopes the provision of this bonus and special payment can lighten the burden of civil servants and government pensioners and help them make preparations for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration.

"This shows that the government is always concerned about the welfare of civil servants and government pensiors. The awarding of the bonus is a mark of appreciation to all civil servants," said Najib.

Najib said the two payments involved 1.27 million civil servants and 590,000 government pensioners and entailed an estimated expenditure of RM2bil.