Appropriate wages will improve cops' commitment, discipline

SHAH ALAM - Appropriate wages in line with current cost of living standards,will aid in raising work quality and discipline amongst police personnel and officers.

The Malaysian Police Veteran Association (VPOL) secretary-general Muhammad Shafiq Izwan Mohd Yunos said he completely supports the proactive efforts and initiative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, in researching and suggesting improvements for police wage schemes especially for junior officers (PRP).

He said the basic wages of police constables, which is at RM1,441 was currently below the guideline level of RM1,500 minimum salary and should be reviewed.

“The suggestions presented by the IGP seems to be appropriate and coincide with the government’s mission to reduce the economic gap between low- and high-income individuals.

“This is also in line with the police force performing various tasks in ensuring peace and security for the nation,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the basic wage rates were now seen as improving in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s mandate and in accordance with the Malaysia Madani concept.

“VPOL suggested for the government to consider establishing a special task force to research the police wage scheme as a whole.

“It must look towards the duration,challenges and nature of the work including the economic challenges faced by police officers in carrying out their duties of preventing crime and ensuring the safety of Malaysians,” he said.

He added if the research was done, the results as well as the improvement of the salary schemes can aid the government to further improve work quality, discipline and integrity of police officers.

Razarudin on Saturday revealed the starting salary scale for police officers with the rank of constable was below the minimum wage implementation of RM1,500 which was RM1,441.

He had suggested to the Civil Service Department for the wage scheme for Constables (YA1) to be adjusted to the minimum wage of RM1,500 monthly.

This included the proposed increase of an additional 30 per cent of the annual pay raise rate (KGT) and the one off KGT increase for the professional management group, which include the senior police officer wage schemes (Ya13 to YA24A ) as well as the realignment of the Cost of Living Assistance (COLA) received by officers and personnel according to urban, suburban and rural categories.