PUTRAJAYA: A study on the salary system for public officers is being completed while the contract appointment system for new recruitment in the civil service is temporary, says Fahmi Fadzil.

The government's spokesman, who is also the Communications Minister, said a detailed explanation would be issued soon by the Public Service Department on the matter.

“Information should come from the department or the director-general. This is important so as not to create concern and misunderstanding as to what the system means,” says Fahmi.

Public Service Department director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, in a circular said that the contract of service system would take effect from Feb 1.

He said the law was still being amended to allow for the creation of a new civil service recruitment method.

He said the new recruitment method, once implemented, would reduce the country’s fiscal burden.

"The government, through a cabinet meeting on July 12, 2023, decided to introduce a new method for the permanent appointment of civil servants.

"The cabinet agreed that during this interim period before the enforcement of this new method, the recruitment of civil servants to permanent positions will be carried out via a contract of service (COS) system effective from 2024," he said in the circular.

He said this initiative is in line with the country's commitment to address the issue of increasing pension liabilities.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan said these contract appointments will be done under current regulations, service circulars and procedures in force, namely the Human Resources Service Circular's (MyPPSM), which is separated under the UP.1.1.1 Contract Appointment Procedures and Policies (Contract of Service).