KUCHING, April 14 — Sarawak civil servants will receive a special payment for festivals at the end of the year in addition to their annual bonus, said Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

The Premier said he felt it necessary to clarify his recent decision not to give state civil servants a Hari Raya bonus.

"If we want to give bonuses for Hari Raya, the payment must be brought forward by the end of the year or at the beginning of the new year.

"This means, special payment for Hari Gawai, Hari Raya, and Chinese New Year will be given out at the end of the year together with the year-end bonus. And the year-end bonus is fixed.

"For example, we give RM1,500 for year-end bonus. And then, we give another RM700 as special payment for celebrations, so that means we give RM2,200 in total,” he explained when officiating at Sumbangsih Raya 2023 at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.

Abang Johari said providing special financial assistance must be done in a practical manner.

Describing the timing as a critical point, he said such assistance should be given during the peak spending season, which he believes is at the end of the year as parents require extra cash to buy school necessities for their children.

"I am aware that other states are giving out (bonuses) to the civil servants. I have my own reason to not give out the bonuses. This is because we have many festivals in Sarawak, such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Gawai.

"So, I feel we must be fair to all communities. The year-end season is a very critical time for parents to buy school uniforms for their children. Parents can buy school clothes for children so that they will be motivated to go to school,” he explained.

Abang Johari added the bonus should be used for significant purposes.

"After all, if it’s a celebration day, like Raya, Chinese New Year, Gawai, we only celebrate for two or three days. If we give bonus, it will be used just like that.

"So, my approach is different from other states because to me, that (end of the year) is the time for us to help ease the financial burden of our state civil servants,” he said.

Among those present at the event were Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah; and Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development II (Community Wellbeing Development) Mohamad Razi Sitam. — Borneo Post